Minimum load factor

Marginal loss factor

Mitigation load factor

Maximum load factor

Marginal load factor

100MW PV farms can connect to distribution networks between 11kV and 33 kV

A 66kW transmission line could easily connect a 30MW PV farm

To connect a 15 MW PV farm, between 11kV and 33kV of transmission line is required

A 66kV transmission line could easily connect a 300MW PV farm

Sufficient nearby network capacity

Free of contamination

Ability to get a 25 year lease

Sloping towards the north 

Site is flat (not hilly)

Not prone to flooding

Free of cultural and heritage titles

Not too close to residents that may object

All of the above

Production of monocrystalline silicon is very energy intensive, and involves emissions of carbon.  There are emerging technologies for reducing carbon emissions and energy use, but they need to be improved if silicon production is to be completely sustainable

New processes such as electrodeposition are now easily able to provide cheaper and more environmentally friendly puresilicon

Chemical reduction processes utilising the catalytic properties of aluminium and manganese can allow the purification processes to operate at much lower temperatures, and these new processes are now commercial available

With a single crystal of silicon, the recombination losses are reduced so the solar cell is more efficient

Polycrystalline cells have a lower embedded energy content and so are more efficient

With a single crystal of silicon, the bandgap is , so the solar cell is more efficient

With a single crystal of silicon, the bandgap is smaller, so the solar cell is more efficient

Monocrystalline silicon and energy are the inputs, and polycrystalline silicon is the output

Phosphorus (for doping), polycrystalline silicon and energy are the inputs, and monocrystalline silicon is the output.

Polycrystalline silicon is the input, and monocrystalline silicon is the output

Polycrystalline silicon and energy are the inputs, and monocrystalline silicon is the output