About Solar Energy

How Solar Works

Getting electricity into your home or business begins with generation.

The three major ways that electricity is generated in the U.S. are from burning fossil fuels like coal, petroleum, and natural gas (~60%), from nuclear energy (~20%), and from renewable energy sources, like solar and wind (~20%).

Solar and other energy generation facilities are typically connected to the larger electrical grid so that the electricity generated can be used by all. Before connection can occur, studies need to take place to determine whether any upgrades to power lines or other electrical facilities are needed to move the electricity. When the needed upgrades are completed, the facility can be plugged in, or interconnected to the grid, and it can begin generating electricity.

Once an electric current is generated by the solar panels, the power is converted on site from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC), which is both easier to transmit over long distances and is the type of power that is used in most homes. Transmission lines then carry the energy from the generation source to areas where it can be used, such as in homes and businesses. Along the way, transformers step-up and step-down the power to the appropriate voltage for moving through transmission or distribution lines.

Solar as a Good Neighbor

One of the benefits of using land to host solar panels as opposed to other commercial or industrial uses is that solar has a reputation for being a good neighbor.

Some of the common concerns with other industrial uses that you won’t encounter with solar panels include:

Noise. If you’re near a solar farm, chances are you won’t hear a thing. The panels themselves don’t make any noise, and sound levels from inverters range from 48 to 72 decibels at a distance of 10 feet–far closer than anyone other than employees will get to the inverters.
Dust, smoke, and particulate pollution. No dust, smoke, or particulates will be created once the solar facility is in operation. During construction, appropriate dust control measures using industry best practices will be implemented.
Traffic. Once a solar facility is up and running, it requires very little maintenance, which means sparse traffic to and from the facility. One or two light-duty vehicles per month are all that can be expected.
Chemicals and toxins. While some solar panels do contain metals that can be harmful to human health and the environment when improperly disposed of (similar to cellphones and other digital and electronic devices), solar energy systems do not pollute the water or air, and there is no evidence that solar panels are harmful to human health when in operation, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Odor. Solar panels emit no odor. You can’t say that about most other industrial and commercial facilities!
Glare. Any glare will be imperceptible at the boundary line of the Wallula Gap facility. Solar panels are designed to absorb as much sunlight as possible--any reflected sunlight is energy lost! In fact, solar panels reflect far less sunlight than many common materials, including those found in nature, like snow and flat water.

Benefits of Solar for Rural Communities

Diversifying energy generation supports energy resiliency, economic growth, and energy independence.

Solar energy offers a consistent, reliable form of energy that works by capturing and converting the sun's rays into electricity. Components of modern solar facilities require little maintenance and rarely experience failure. Renewable energy also allows rural communities the opportunity to produce their own energy in a way that’s inexpensive and independent of big power producers.

In rural areas, solar energy offers the benefits of new revenue sources for landowners. It increases the size and diversity of the tax base, and provides an opportunity for those engaging in land-based activities to diversify and stabilize their income sources. Solar energy development may also create short- and long-term job opportunities for local workers, including apprenticeship opportunities.

External links

To learn more about how solar energy works, the benefits of solar, and solar grazing, consider the following resources: