Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Green Switch Solutions?
Green Switch Solutions are a leading solar project developer specializing in fully funded solar parks to agricultural markets in the UK. We have over 12 years’ experience working in renewable energies in the UK and Europe.
We work in collaboration with Savills Energy + to offer the very best professional services and planning to ensure each site receives the highest level of attention and more importantly planning success.
Our in-house teams of developers, planners and lawyers enable us to manage all elements of the intricate and often long process of developing a solar park.
What are the benefits of solar energy?
- Solar technology creates a local reliable source of energy which reduces our reliance on foreign oil and gas supplies.
- It reduces the need for burning fossil fuels, so decreases the effects of Global Warming andimproves the quality of air that we breathe.
- It minimises the depletion of natural resources for future generations.
- Solar panels are mounted low to the ground, so they are much less visible over distance than wind farms or nuclear power stations.
- Solar cells are totally silent. They can extract energy from the sun without making any noise.
- Solar cells require very little maintenance. They have no moving parts that need to be fixed and so last a long time.
How do solar panels work?
Solar Panels convert daylight into electricity. Light shining on the panel creates an electric field across layers of silicon in each cell, causing Direct Current (DC) electricity to flow.
This is then converted by an ‘inverter’ into the usable Alternating Current (AC) electricity that powers our homes. Solar panels do not need direct sunshine to work, just daylight meaning that they can still generate electricity on dull days.
Will the solar panels move to track the sun?
No, the solar panels will be fixed in place and will not move. The lack of moving parts reduces the level of maintenance required throughout the lifespan of the development.
How efficient are solar panels?
It is sometimes said that photovoltaic (PV) solar electric panels require more energy for their production than they produce during their lifetime. This seems to be the kind of "urban myth" that is hard to eradicate.
Studies in the Netherlands and USA have concluded that in UK conditions it will take around 2.5 years to "pay back" the energy cost of the panel. PV panels have an expected life of least 25-30 years, so even under UK conditions a PV panel will, over its lifespan, produce many times more energy than was required to manufacture the panel.
Why are solar panels blue/black?
Blue/black silicon absorbs light in the most efficient way – maximising energy production and reducing reflection.
What is involved in the maintenance of the solar park once built?
Solar parks require minimum maintenance once constructed. The site shall be visited about 4 times per year to cut grass and wash panels with water. Further visits shall be undertaken throughout a year for general maintenance checks. All maintenance workers shall access the site in standard 4x4s, small vans or cars resulting in negligible disruption to local traffic.
How long will the solar park be operational?
All components of the solar park are built to operate for at least 25 years. Following the end of the operational period, all infrastructures shall be removed and the site returned to its original function.
How will the equipment be protected?
The site will be protected by a fence to prevent unauthorised access. Closed circuit security cameras will also be in place and will activate only when movement is detected. The camera will use infrared technology so no flood lighting is required.
Does solar park construction increase the risk of flooding in the area?
No. The framework is piled directly into the ground so there is no need for the laying of any concrete. Installations will therefore have a negligible effect on run off volumes and do not create a flood risk.
How many homes will a solar park power?
The average UK house hold uses 3,300kwh per year according to OfGem .One of our 5MW sites in the north of England will produce 3,322,000 kWh per year. These will power 1006 households for a year. This works out at 201 households per MW.
Will solar farms cause any glint or glare?
A. Solar panels are designed to absorb light and not to reflect light. They pose little risk of glint or glare, and solar panels have been installed on Gatwick Airport, alongside major roads and beside sports car raceways such as the ‘Top Gear’ test track.
What impact do solar farms have on the UK landscape?
A solar farm is normally granted planning permission for 25 years, after which it is required to be dismantled, unless it is granted an extension due to a re application at the end of term. A solar farm does not change the zoning classification of the land. A typical 5 MW solar farm could be dismantled and removed within weeks. The UK has 59m acres of land, 45m is in agricultural production, 11m in arable production of which up to 250k acres is proposed for growing biogas crops and 865k acres for perennial energy crops like willow and miscanthus. 10GW of solar would only use 60k acres or 0.1% of UK land area
Do solar farms emit any noise?
There is hardly any noise emitted from a solar farm. Solar PV technology does not use any moving parts, and in many cases nature and solar complement each other, with insects, sheep and small wild animals living side by side. There are a number of ‘inverters’ on solar farms to convert DC into AC and these machines do emit a humming sound, but they are housed in sound-proofed boxing, making them unlikely to be heard
Is there any interference with existing equipment?
A solar farm does not emit energy radiation and therefore cannot interfere with equipment such as mobile phones, heart monitors, pace makers, hearing aids, or TV reception.
Does Green Switch Solutions operate the solar park for profit?
Yes. Green Switch Solutions is a commercial operation that has chosen solar energy generation as its mode of business. Our returns come from the sale of electricity generated and subsidies under then Feed in Tariff and Renewable Obligation Certificate scheme. This income provides for the operation and maintenance costs of the site, repayment of the initial investment, paying for the lease of the land, and a profit for the running of Green Switch Solutions as a business.