SolarFarms

Solar energy is one of the fastest-growing renewable energy sources worldwide, leveraging the abundant and cost-effective energy from the sun. While rooftop solar has contributed to this momentum, solar farms, also known as solar power plants, solar panel fields, or solar gardens, have played an increasingly critical role in scaling clean energy deployment.

Key Takeaways:

  • A solar farm is a large-scale solar installation, either utility-scale or distributed generation, that sends clean, renewable energy to the electric grid.
  • A 1 MW solar farm generates roughly as much power as 168 home solar installations
  • Community solar farms allow homeowners and renters to subscribe and receive electricity savings without installing rooftop panels.

What is a solar farm?

Let’s begin by looking at what a solar farm is. A solar energy farm, also known as a solar garden, solar power plant, or solar panel field, is a large-scale solar system connected to the utility grid. Solar farms represent one of the most efficient ways to generate clean energy: they’re relatively inexpensive, easy to implement, and produce no emissions during energy production.

Types of solar farms

There are several types of solar farms being developed across the country. Let’s explore the two most common ones: utility-scale and distributed generation (including community solar).

Utility-scale:

  • Utility-scale solar farms scale up to 1 GW, typically spanning multiple acres of land.
  • There are over 176,000 megawatts of operating utility-scale solar, with an additional 109,000 megawatts under development.
  • The energy from utility-scale solar projects is sold to utility buyers through power purchase agreements (PPAs), though occasionally the farm can be owned by the utility. The utility then distributes the energy to customers, both commercial and residential, that are connected to the grid.

Distributed generation:

  • Distributed generation projects are located close to the point of electricity use.
  • Community solar farms are the most common form of DG and enable customers to access solar without installing rooftop panels.
  • Distributed generation projects help improve grid reliability and resilience in our energy infrastructure.
  • Distributed generation project sizes can range anywhere from small residential rooftop installations to solar projects large enough to provide clean energy for an entire community.

How do solar farms work?

The process is the same for utility-scale and distributed generation. The primary difference between the two is scale.

  1. Solar panels capture sunlight through photovoltaic (PV) cells.
  2. PV cells convert this into direct current (DC) electricity.
  3. Inverters convert DC to alternating current (AC) electricity.
  4. AC electricity flows into the utility grid and is distributed to homes and businesses.

What are the benefits of solar farms?

There are numerous benefits of solar farms, ranging from their positive environmental impact to the way they make clean energy more accessible.

Clean renewable energy

Solar farms produce 100% renewable energy with zero operational carbon emissions and no water pollution.

Long lifespan

Solar panels typically last 25–35 years, providing decades of reliable clean power.

Dual land use

Solar farms often support farming, grazing, or pollinator habitats, allowing for productive land use alongside renewable energy generation.

Expanded access to clean energy

Through community solar subscriptions, more households and renters can benefit from solar power, even if they can’t install panels themselves.

Economic opportunities

Landowners can lease land for solar farms, creating steady revenue streams while contributing to clean energy growth.

Frequently asked questions about solar farms:

How much land is required for a solar farm?

Land requirements vary depending on the solar developer and market. At Nexamp, we typically require parcels to be at least 5 acres and rooftops to be at least 40,000 square feet.

Can solar farms operate in cloudy or rainy climates?

Yes. Solar farms still generate power in cloudy or rainy conditions, though output is highest on sunny days.

How long do solar farms last?

Most projects operate for 20–35 years before decommissioning or repowering.

What happens to solar farms at the end of their lifecycle?

Decommissioning processes vary depending on the developer of the solar project. At Nexamp, we remove the system and all materials, recycle the solar panels, and restore the area back to its original condition.

How much power can a solar farm generate?

How much power a solar farm can generate depends on the size of the solar farm and the efficiency of the solar panels.

Do you need planning permission for a solar farm?

Yes. Developers must secure permits, zoning approvals, and environmental reviews before construction.

How long does construction take?

Once permitting is approved by both the electrical and building inspectors, construction can begin. Depending on how large the solar farm is and how many solar workers are involved, solar farm development can take anywhere between 3–4 months, weather permitting. After construction, tests are conducted to ensure the solar farm is working safely and properly.

Is a solar farm a good investment?

Landowners are recognizing the immense opportunity that solar leasing provides to their business without significantly restricting their agricultural capacity. Many are turning to solar farm development as an alternative to more permanent development, such as housing subdivisions or shopping plazas. These projects bring financial security in the form of recurring lease revenue, in addition to supporting a landowner’s or farmer’s operation.

At Nexamp, we firmly believe in the value of solar farms in democratizing access to clean energy while supporting nationwide decarbonization efforts. To learn more about how solar farms can benefit you, check out our guide to community solar!