FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
These FAQs have been collated using the expertise of the team at Lightyears Solar, and relevant information from the Sustainable Energy Association of New Zealand.
1. HOW DO SOLAR PANELS WORK?
Simply put, solar panels use semi-conductive material to convert light into electricity. Slightly less simply, panels are made up of photovoltaic cells, which are made out of silicon wafers. These wafers are produced by converting beach sand into high-grade silicon. The photovoltaic cells give solar panels their ability to absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity.
2. HOW DO SOLAR FARMS WORK?
Multiple solar panels are used to collect energy from the sun, and this energy is then converted into electricity. Usually, the panels are placed at an angle to get the maximum sunlight, and need some maintenance and cleaning during the year. As long as the sun is shining, solar farms will keep generating energy. As a result, the energy supply will not get interrupted.
The solar panels on a farm work just like those you’ll find on a building roof, though when you collect large amounts of solar panels and place them in optimal locations, the potential for generating electricity increases immensely. This electricity is then sent to the power grid via high-voltage power lines and an inverter, then onto homes and businesses in the area.
3. HOW MUCH LAND DO YOU NEED AND WHAT SORT OF TERRAIN IS BEST?
At least 5ha is recommended to accommodate the number of panels needed for a viable solar farm, and the optimal amount of space between them. Land that is sunny and flat is the ideal site for a solar farm. Your space must also accommodate essential equipment such as transformers and inverters and there must be adequate space between the panels for any maintenance needed too.
4. CAN SOLAR FARMS AND ANIMALS SHARE A PASTURE?
Yes - depending on the animal. Small animals like sheep, goats, chickens and pigs can share with solar panels at a standard height, and vegetation is accessible beneath. Grazing of adult cattle is generally not compatible with PV facilities due to the risk of damage to panels, however younger cattle are able to share a paddock if the panels are set to the appropriate height. Grazing can benefit local farmers, solar operators and the site itself, due to less need for mowing and herbicide, and the panels also provide shade and shelter to animals
5. HOW DOES A SOLAR FARM HELP THE ENVIRONMENT?
A solar farm is a power plant of clean, reliable, renewable energy. As well as reducing pressure on the electricity network, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and releases fewer air pollutants like sulphur dioxide and particulate matter, which can cause health problems. It also uses no water, has zero emissions, and sends the energy it creates directly into the power grid. It’s low impact, high reward.
Visually there are no tall, unsightly structures to generate power—kind on the eye and the environment.
6. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS A SOLAR FARM BRINGS TO A LANDOWNER?
Some of the benefits include:
Income via selling or leasing land
Using unproductive pasture land (and still being able to grow crops beneath the panels)
Sharing usable pasture with animals like chickens, pigs, sheep, and small cattle
The ability to grow shade-tolerant crops beneath solar panels and to diversify crop selection, while also extending growing seasons and reducing water requirements.
7. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS A SOLAR FARM CAN BRING TO A COMMUNITY?
Power supplied to the local network.
Where possible, it can also provide local employment opportunities.
Some solar farms can be used as an education resource (e.g. to create educational content for school children, or through supervised visits to the site).
8. DO YOU LEASE OR BUY LAND?
We can do either and will work with individual landowners on the option that best suits them.
9. WILL SOLAR PANELS DAMAGE MY CROPS OR CONTAMINATE MY SOIL?
Silicon-based PV cells are the most widespread solar photovoltaic technology used. Most solar panels have a glass front that protects the PV cell and an aluminium or steel frame. Research shows that leaching of trace metals from panels is unlikely to occur due to the sealed nature of the installed cells.
As for your crops and vegetation, solar panels will actually cool the vegetation underneath during the day due to shading and keep them warmer at night. Farmers may even be able to grow shade-tolerant crops and to diversify crop selection, while also extending growing seasons and reducing water requirements.
10. WILL THE PANELS CAUSE GLARE THAT WILL REFLECT ON NEARBY PUBLIC ROADS AND HOUSING?
No – solar panels are designed to absorb the sun’s rays, not to reflect them. There are many solar facilities currently installed and operational at airports around the world.
11. WHAT IS THE LIFESPAN OF A SOLAR FARM?
The usual lifespan of a solar farm is 30 – 35 years, after which it will be decommissioned, at the developer’s expense.
12. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A SOLAR FARM IS DECOMMISSIONED?
At the end of a solar project’s working life, the land will be restored to its original state and the components will be repurposed or recycled including the solar panels, inverters, cabling, aluminium racking and steel posts.
The decommissioning process is (in reverse order):
• The solar facility is disconnected from the utility power grid
• Photovoltaic panels are disconnected, collected, and either shipped to another project, salvaged, or submitted to a collection or recycling programme
• Electrical interconnection and distribution cables are removed and recycled off-site by an approved recycling facility
• Photovoltaic panel support H‐beams and aluminium racking are removed and recycled off‐site by an approved metals recycler
• Electrical and electronic devices, including transformers and inverters are removed and recycled off‐site by an approved recycler
• The project site may be converted to its original condition including revegetation, or to other land uses in accordance with applicable land use regulations in effect at the time of decommissioning.
13. CAN MY LAND BE CONVERTED BACK TO AGRICULTURAL LAND AFTER THE LIFE OF THE SOLAR FARM SYSTEM?
Land can be reverted back to agricultural uses at the end of the operational life for solar installations. A life of a solar installation is roughly 30-35 years and can provide a recovery period, increasing the value of that land for agriculture in the future. Resting soil can also maintain soil quality and contribute to the biodiversity of agricultural land.
14. HOW DO SOLAR PROJECTS IMPACT NEARBY PROPERTY VALUES?
A common misconception is that residential property values are negatively impacted due to proximity to solar facilities. While there is no in-depth study of the impact, as solar farms do not cast a shadow on neighbouring properties, cause any light flicker or have the visual impact of a wind farm, the impacts on property value are considered to be minimal. Solar farms are also typically concealed with screening vegetation and PV solar panels are usually mounted close to the ground (less than 3m high).
Solar farms generally do not generate traffic, as there are minimal staff, with only occasional visits necessary for maintenance and cleaning. They also do not generate much noticeable noise, produce no odours, and produce no pollution.
15. DOES SOLAR FARMING TAKE AWAY TOO MUCH PRODUCTIVE LAND?
Dual use, or agrivoltaic solar farms, allow both to continue and our farms aim to have small animals grazing beneath panels, and for vegetation to be grown where possible. Panels can even provide shade for animals and crops.
Some relevant research:
Examples of sheep grazing around solar panels.
Examples of broccoli successfully growing in partly shaded areas.
Examples of water harvesting.
16. DOES A SOLAR FARM CREATE HEAT ISLANDS? AND HOW DO YOU STOP THE LAND AROUND SOLAR PANELS FROM OVERHEATING?
Solar farms have the potential to contribute to heat formation, as a portion of the energy created by the absorption of sunlight is converted into heat. This can lead to a slight increase in temperature within the solar farm. However, their overall impact is generally lower compared to urban areas or industrial zones. Heat islands occur when a specific area experiences significantly higher temperatures than its surrounding regions due to human activities and the built environment.
Actions such as optimising panel orientation and spacing can mitigate heating and help regulate temperature. Furthermore, solar farms can also provide certain cooling benefits. Solar panels reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the ground, which can lower surface temperatures compared to bare, sunlit land. Additionally, solar panels absorb and convert solar energy, thereby reducing the amount of energy that would otherwise be converted to heat by other human activities, such as fossil fuel-based power generation. Planting around the farm can also help mitigate heating.
17. DOES HAIL IMPACT SOLAR PANELS?
Modern Tier one quality solar panels that are correctly installed and tilted are built to withstand hailstones of a certain size and velocity. Manufacturers test their panels for durability and impact resistance, and they usually provide information about the specific hail rating for their products. This rating indicates the size and speed of hailstones that the panels can withstand without significant damage.