Solar panels use photovoltaic (PV) technology
Solar panels use photovoltaic (PV) technology to generate electrical power from daylight. Solar PV does not rely on intensive sunlight, daylight is sufficient for electricity generation. In that regard, the UK and Ireland have the capacity to generate significant volumes of solar energy.
photovoltaic technology
The Panels Generate Direct Current
This is transformed via inverters into alternating current which is suitable for connection to the electricity network.
Photovoltaic technology has been in use for over fifty years, with most of us familiar with the solar powered calculator. Advances in technology have improved the efficiency and reliability of photovoltaic devices and grid connected solar panels have been in mass production worldwide since the early 2000s.
As manufacturing scale increases, the cost of production is falling and solar PV is becoming an increasingly popular energy source globally.
why solar pv?
Solar PV is Now A Competetive, Mature Technology
It is the fastest growing, and easiest to deploy, renewable energy globally. Solar farms produce no emissions, are visually unobtrusive and have little to no impact on their local environment.
Renewable energy is able to provide national energy security. In Ireland, the use of renewable energy generation in 2017 avoided €278 million in fossil fuel imports, reducing Ireland’s energy import dependency from 88% in 2015 to 66% in 2017.
benefits
Socio-Economic Benefits
- Solar PV can be developed and installed faster than any other renewable with a typical construction period of 3 – 4 months.
- Solar has a very predictable energy curve as it produces electricity during daylight hours.
- Landowners can benefit from a stable, long-term income.
- Solar development facilitates dual-usage of land as sheep can continue to graze between panels.
- Solar farms can use the existing grid infrastructure and do not require major grid reinforcements.
- Solar developments are easily screened using existing or new hedgerows.
benefits
Environmental Advantages
- Solar energy provides electricity without emitting greenhouse gases or air pollutants
- Solar farms will assist in the reduction of CO2 emissions and reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels
- Solar is clean, quiet and visually unobtrusive
- The passive environment around solar farms is an appealing habitat to a variety of wildlife and has been proven to enhance biodiversity
- Solar energy does not require the input of external fuel and therefore supports national energy independence.
Solar PV is now the fastest growing, and easiest to deploy, renewable energy globally.