Solar farms

Why do we need them?

Solar power has advantages for developed countries trying to source more electricity from renewable supplies, and for developing countries that lack a proper national grid and can use it locally. This article looks at large-scale harvesting of solar power — where it is happening, how it works and its costs and benefits

Peter Jones and Daphne Comfort

A solar-driven pump at a well in Mali

Renewable sources of energy are growing in importance. The UK government is committed to meeting 15% of the nation’s energy needs from renewable sources by 2020. This is part of its strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependency on imported energy supplies. Looking further ahead the government has said that

This mix currently includes wind, hydroelectric, tidal, biomass and solar power.