EDF has announced its project of opening its first three solar farms in Ireland, expecting to produce a combined capacity of 17MW, an amount that will provide enough power for 6,000 homes. But what are these solar farms and how do they work?
Solar energy is one of the most promising sources of renewable energy that can help us reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and combat climate change. One way that solar energy is being harnessed is through the use of solar farms, indeed, that are large-scale installations that use the power of the sun to generate electricity.
Solar farms consist of large arrays of solar panels that are strategically placed to maximize the amount of sunlight they can capture. They are typically installed in areas with plenty of sunlight, like deserts and open fields, and can range in size from a few acres to several hundred acres. For these reasons, the EDF will place their new Irish solar farms in Kilkenny and Wexford under the government’s Renewable Electricity Support Scheme.
One of the key benefits of solar farms is that they can generate large amounts of electricity without emitting any greenhouse gases or other pollutants. This makes them an attractive alternative to traditional fossil fuel power plants, which are a major contributor to global warming.
In addition to their environmental benefits, solar farms can also provide economic benefits to local communities. They can create jobs during the construction and operation phases and can generate revenue for local governments through taxes and lease payments.
Therefore, due to the importance of these benefits, the EDF Renewables Ireland’s Head of Development, Jenny Howard, has argued: «We’re very proud to have developed some of the first solar farms in Ireland. Solar energy has a crucial role to play in ensuring Ireland has a diverse, low-carbon energy mix and can safeguard its own supply of electricity».
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