Solar farms are large-scale, ground-mounted solar installations. They use photovoltaic (PV) panels or other means of collecting solar energy, like concentrating solar systems, to harness the sun’s power.
Solar farms are also known as ‘solar parks,’ ‘solar plants’ and ‘solar power stations.’ They operate as power plants, just like the fossil-fueled power plants that have generated electricity for consumers for the last century.
They’re different from rooftop solar systems and even commercial solar power systems in a number of important ways.
- Solar farms take advantage of economies of scale, meaning, by placing large orders for solar panels and other equipment, project developers can purchase the equipment for less.
- Solar power stations can also be located in a more ideal location that’s free from issues like shading from trees.
- Solar farms are decentralized and usually consist of ground-mounted solar panels, installed across large areas.
- In most cases, solar farms provide power to the electric grid and are part of the utility’s energy mix.
There are also different types of large solar projects, like community solar farms and utility-scale solar farms.
