FAQs - solar panels and farms

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SOLAR

You may be interested in the following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about solar farms in general. These are extracts from the Columbia Law School report - The full report can be read via this link.

(Source: https://scholarship.law.columbia.edu/sabin_climate_change )

Also information pertinent to Australia from www.energy.gov.au and www.engie.com.au (an energy retailer formerly SimplyEnergy)

Are electromagnetic fields from solar farms harmful to humans?

According to North Carolina State University, “the electromagnetic fields generated at a solar farm are similar in strength and frequency to those of toaster ovens and other household appliances – and are harmless to humans”.

Do toxic heavy metals such as lead and cadmium leach out from panels?

The cadmium in solar panels is in the form of cadmium telluride, which is non-volatile and non-soluble in water. Most solar panels and many other electronics contain small amounts of lead, but as the panels are enclosed there is very little risk of exposure. The International Energy Agency has confirmed that the only potential human and environmental concern is the trace amount of lead found in the solder used to join the panels together. Lead-free solder is being adopted by many manufacturers.

Will the waste from solar panels overwhelm landfill?

The amount of waste from solar panels is trivial compared with that of fossil fuels. There are a growing number of companies that are recycling panels.

Will clearing trees for solar farms negate any climate change benefits?

It has been found that an acre of solar panels (in the USA) usually offsets significantly more carbon dioxide emissions than an acre of planted trees can sequester.

Are solar farms making climate change worse?

There is overwhelming evidence that the lifecycle emissions of solar energy are far lower than those of all fossil fuel sources, including natural gas.

Is solar development harmful to biodiversity?

This depends on site-specific conditions. When applying best practices for project design, large-scale solar farms on previously developed land, including farmland, can sustain and even increase local biodiversity. Solar farms can create microclimates within the farm which can enhance botanical diversity. Also shade under the panels can offer critical habitat for a wide range of species.

Will solar projects reduce agricultural production?

Agrivoltaics or Agrisolar are terms given to the design of the solar arrays so as to allow continued agricultural production. Farmers can grow crops and keep sheep for example, as the panels provide shade and moisture. The shade provided by the panels reduces heat stress, improves pasture quality and enhances animal welfare. Grazing also helps reduce the maintenance costs for the solar facility.

Will a solar farm destroy the value of nearby properties?

Data from multiple studies in the US have shown that solar projects do not have major impacts on the value of nearby properties. All property owners within a certain radius of the solar farm will receive annual, index-linked payments from the solar farm operators.

Is it true that solar energy is more expensive than fossil fuels and completely dependent on subsidies?

According to the International Energy Agency’s 2020 ‘World Energy Outlook’, photovoltaic solar power is ‘the cheapest source of new electricity generation in most parts of the world’.

How can solar panels work when it is cold or cloudy?

Solar panels generate energy even when it is cloudy and their efficiency can actually increase in the winter. Solar farms with back-up batteries store the excess generated in the daytime to be released when demand is high thus smoothing out the supply and supporting grid stability.

How reliable is solar energy – does it need to be backed up by fossil fuels?

An increasing number of solar projects include an energy storage component and solar, wind and storage together can provide the majority of a country’s electricity without compromising reliability.

Will the world run out of mineral resources for the solar panels?

A 2023 study that examined 75 emissions-reduction scenarios concluded that global reserves of critical materials are likely adequate to meet future demand for electricity generation infrastructure. Innovations in recycling old solar panels can potentially reduce future requirements for individual raw materials such as silver, copper and crystalline silicon.

According to www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au, 95% of a solar panel is recyclable. Panels are designed to last 25-30 years and still produce 80% of their original capacity after 30 years.

Are solar farms noisy?

Noise generation is generally low and can be effectively managed with proper planning and mitigation strategies.

Are solar farms dangerous and prone to fires?

Solar farms implement Fire Management Plans to prevent fires, which are factored during the design phase and equipment and material selection. Fire detectors are installed on site. External fires are monitored on site and approved site vehicles carry water fire extinguishers.