Harnessing the power of the sun
How does solar power work?
Solar power works by converting energy from the sun into power. There are two forms of energy generated from the sun for our use – electricity and heat.
Both are generated through the use of solar panels, which range in size from residential rooftops to ‘solar farms’ stretching over acres of rural land.
In addition to abundant clean renewable energy, our solar parks offer a multitude of benefits to local communities and wildlife.
Is solar power a clean energy source?
Yes, solar power is a renewable and infinite energy source which creates no harmful greenhouse gas emissions – as long as the sun continues to shine, energy will be released.
The carbon footprint of solar panels is already quite small, as they last for 25 years plus with no loss in efficiency.
The materials used in the panels are increasingly recycled, so the carbon footprint will continue to shrink.
How is electricity produced?
Solar panels are usually made from silicon installed in a metal panel frame with a glass casing. When photons, or particles of light, hit the thin layer of silicon on the top of a solar panel, they knock electrons off the silicon atoms.
This PV charge creates an electric current (specifically, direct current or DC), which is captured by the wiring in solar panels. This DC electricity is then converted to alternating current (AC) by an inverter. AC is the type of electrical current used when you plug appliances into normal wall sockets.
Why Solar?
We are in a climate and ecological emergency. Net zero is important as it’s the best way we can tackle climate change by reducing global warming. What we do in the next decade to limit emissions will be critical to the future, which is why every country, sector, industry and each one of us must work together to find ways to cut the carbon we produce. Governments across the globe are setting legally binding targets to reduce carbon emissions.
Solar power is proven to be the cheapest form of new electricity generation available and without subsidies, this helps to reduce power prices.
As well as generating clean, renewable energy, solar farms can enrich local biodiversity, continue the use of agriculture via sheep grazing and restore soil conditions.
Benefits
Ground-mounted solar projects can deliver major benefits to the environment. In addition to providing clean, affordable energy – which is good for the planet – they can improve local biodiversity by supporting new and existing plant and animal life.
Solar parks can help produce the power needed to support the UK’s electricity system. In May 2020, along with other forms of solar power, solar parks helped the UK meet more than 11% of its entire electricity demand, and contributed to a record period of coal-free generation.
The UK's solar industry association Solar Energy UK, have produced this briefing document sheet on the facts about solar energy, providing examples of how solar can benefit the economy, local communities and the natural environment.
