Do you know that the largest solar farm in the world is located in Rajasthan, India? This magnificent farm is spread across a 5700-hectare desert, generating electricity for 4.5 million homes. As more and more renewable sources of energy are used to meet the complicated needs of developing countries, solar farms stand as a trusted solution for several reasons. Many countries are finding sustainable solutions like solar power to control the impact of climate change and rising temperatures. The concept of solar parks has been adopted by a vast number of government bodies and private companies, which are ditching non-renewable energy sources.
What is a Solar Farm?
Simply put, when tons of solar panels get collected in one area, they are assumed to be a solar farm. Solar farms are often referred to as solar parks, gardens, solar power plants, solar power stations, or community solar farm projects. Generally, solar panels are mounted to the ground rather than on a rooftop. They act as a power grid, helping communities utilize renewable energy in numerous ways. Solar farms use photovoltaic (PV) and concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP) technologies that convert sunlight into electricity.
Solar Parks are categorized into on-grid solar power plants, off-grid solar power plants, ground-mounted solar power systems, commercial solar power plants, and hybrid solar power plants. Capturing the vast power of the sun on their scales, these solar parks operate by transforming sunlight into electricity. Sunlight activates PV cells’ electrons, making an electric current. All these cells are grouped into panels and modules, which are extended in different ranges. Batteries store the energy collected from solar farms, saving it for the nighttime.
Benefits of Solar Farms
There are different types of solar farms. You must also know the benefits of having a large solar park and how it impacts energy-saving systems and maintaining an eco-friendly atmosphere.
Single time Investment
The price to generate energy is negligible, as you do not need any external sources. In addition to the initial investment, there are no other expenses connected.
Regular Supply of Energy
The sun’s abundant and unending energy makes solar energy a renewable source that can be harnessed to save the environment.
Environmental Friendly
Solar energy is the best choice for producing electricity, as it is the cleanest energy source. It does not generate noise pollution or waste and does not impact the environment at all.
Power Backup
Solar parks facilitate during high voltage dips and blackouts. With a strong backup system that stores solar energy in batteries, they can consistently provide power output.
Easy Installation
It is easy to install a solar power plant. However, you must know the basics. You can install a solar park in nearly any location and produce energy in remote locations.
Zero Loss of Energy
The solar energy produced through the solar parks is not displaced throughout the process. Hence, you get the complete amount of solar energy that can be used in the most optimized manner.
Costs of Solar Farms
The cost of installing solar farms has significantly reduced, making it affordable for entrepreneurs to utilize the benefit of this beautiful renewable source of energy. Before installing a solar power plant, create a budget and know the upfront costs. Generally, monocrystalline solar panels cost between Rs. 43 and Rs. 63 per watt. And for a 3kW solar system, the cost will be around Rs. 2 to 2.5 lakhs. On the other hand, installing a 5kW polycrystalline solar energy plant system can cost between Rs. 2.5 and Rs. 3.5 lacs, generating an electricity bill from Rs. 2500 to Rs. 3000. However, the cost varies depending on the location and type of solar system you want to install.
The Indian government offers incentives and subsidies to all citizens who apply through the National Portal for Rooftop Solar. The cost of solar power is reduced by up to 30% for homes. All the monocrystalline solar panels produced in India are entitled to subsidies.
Challenges of Solar Farms
There are certain limitations that you must know besides the benefits these solar parks can provide:
Needs non-shaded areas
The installation is possible only in the non-shaded areas.
Expensive initially
The initial cost of installing a solar farm may be higher than you predict. However, its efficiency rate and the amount of solar energy it can provide compensate for the entire cost.
Constant maintenance
Regular maintenance is needed for its efficient performance.
Differs with output
The performance of solar panels depends on the the kind of panel you install. Some solar panels may be a better fit for big societies and buildings.
Mining for materials
To fabricate solar panels, rare minerals such as indium, gallium, germanium, and tellurium are needed. These minerals are mined from the ground, as they are fossil fuels. To install more solar power plants, we need more fossil fuels to keep up with the current electricity requirements.
Energy storage in batteries
To store green solar energy, we need many batteries, which are currently created from rare minerals mined from the ground. The difficulty of disposal is also considered.
Impact on animals
Solar parks can harm animals and the surrounding biodiversity. Many birds may die due to collisions. A lot of research is going on how to support the prevention of bird deaths due to solar farms. However, there is a marginal impact on the animals as many precautions are taken during installation to avoid such deaths.
Conclusion
The future of solar parks is promising and very bright. Some of the main benefits are reduced costs of electricity bills, excellent government support, and various technological advancements. All these factors have amplified the capabilities of solar energy to be used in a sustainable and resilient manner. At Nyalkaran Energy, we provide top-quality solar panels to create large solar parks. We are a well-known solar panel manufacturer that provides trustworthy solar panel solutions to residential, commercial, and government bodies. We are a reputed solar panel exporter delivering premium quality solar panels to various countries worldwide. Contact with our team of experts to find out more about our products.