FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Why do we need renewable energy plants?
The world's demand for electricity is increasing year on year, not least because we are working towards the electrification of society as part of the green transition. Renewable energy plants, such as solar cells and wind turbines, produce electricity by converting inexhaustible resources like sun and wind. They play a key role in meeting our future energy needs in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. These plants therefore have great potential to help solve some of the climate challenges we face today.
The Danish Parliament passed the Danish Climate Act in 2020. The purpose of the act is for Denmark to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in 2030 by 70% compared to 1990 levels, and for Denmark to achieve a climate-neutral society by 2050. These facilities are part of the transition to a sustainable energy infrastructure, which many countries around the world are working to achieve according to the UN Climate Goals.
The climate crisis shows us that rapid reductions in CO2 emissions are needed. If we are to limit global warming by 1.5°C, drastic changes will have to be made and energy production will have to shift from fossil fuels to sustainable production.
What components are included in a solar farm?
A solar farm consists of solar modules, racks, inverters, transformers and cables designed to produce, convert and deliver electricity from solar energy to the grid. Solar modules are designed to produce electricity from sunlight. The solar panels are mounted on racks on the ground and are adapted to the individual land area so that they are set up most efficiently and generate the cheapest electricity possible. The racks on which the solar modules are placed are made of galvanized steel and can be reused after dismantling the solar farm.
Inverters, also known as inverters, convert the power produced by the solar modules from direct current to alternating current.
Transformers include both smaller distribution transformers and larger power transformers. They consist of two magnetically close-coupled coils (often copper) and a laminated silicon-containing steel core. Transformers convert alternating current at one voltage and amperage to an equivalent power at a different voltage level.
BOS/Cables connect the components inside the solar park and all the way out to the grid. Connection to the grid is done through the transformers, which connect the solar farm directly to the grid. This method is very common in larger solar farms that produce large amounts of electricity.
Does it make sense to install solar farms in Denmark?
It makes sense to install solar farms in Denmark and Northern Europe, even though the solar energy potential is generally lower than in Southern Europe. Denmark has varying weather conditions with both windy and sunny days. The sunny days provide many hours of sunshine that can be utilized and converted into energy.
Installing solar farms in Northern Europe can help diversify our energy resources and where we get our energy from. The utilization of renewable energy can thus eventually reduce dependence on fossil fuels. In addition, renewable energy from e.g. a solar park can help meet Denmark's climate goals and reduce harmful emissions.
What about the wild animals in nature?
A wire fence will be established on the inside of the planting belt. The fence will be a wide-meshed wildlife fence or raised by approx. 15-20 cm so that hares, pheasants, hedgehogs, amphibians and other smaller animals still have free passage to and from the area. Larger animals, such as deer, can move along the planting belt. For larger projects, a fauna passage or dispersal route can be established through the project area to allow passage for larger animals. The location of the passage can, for example, be positioned to accommodate the designation of an ecological connection.
The planting belt will eventually provide food and habitats for insects, birds and other small animals. The same applies to the areas under and between the solar cells, which will be covered in different species of grass, herbs and flowers. This will create an area in and around the solar park that is less disturbed by human traffic, giving wildlife better opportunities for free and relatively undisturbed development.
How tall are the solar panels or wind turbines?
Solar cells
The photovoltaic system consists of solar panels mounted on field stands that are set up in parallel rows with a uniform appearance and slope. The height will vary depending on the setup and design options. We are working with three different design options:
- South-facing panels: The height of the solar panels including stand is 3.5 meters.
- Panels with tracker system: The height of the solar panels including stand is approx. 2.8 meters.
- East-west facing panels: Height of the solar panels incl. stand is 2.5 meters.
Wind turbines
The final design of the wind turbines depends on the type and make of wind turbine chosen. In general, it will be commonly known wind turbines with three blades and a pipe tower.
The most commonly used onshore wind turbines on the newer Danish market have a rotor diameter of up to 136 meters. For a wind turbine with a maximum total height of 149.9 meters, this would correspond to a hub height of 82. If a wind turbine with a smaller rotor diameter is chosen, the hub height will be greater.
Is there noise from solar panels?
Photovoltaic systems usually produce no noise. However, there may be other components in solar farms, such as transformers, that can produce limited noise. Transformers change the voltage of the electric current and they can produce low-level noise when running. That's why we put a lot of focus on placing transformers where they won't disturb neighbors. Our solar farms comply with all applicable noise regulations and noise calculations are made before the solar farm is established.
Do solar cells cause glare?
Solar cells can cause glare when they produce energy directly from the sun. Therefore, we use several methods and ways to reduce the glare from the solar panels. We use dark solar panels with iron-free glass as they absorb more light and therefore reflect less.
The panels have matte surfaces, which reduces reflection and glare. We also plant windbreaks to shield neighbors from view of the facility when it is fully grown.
Does the energy plant affect groundwater and soil?
Renewable energy installations such as solar cells and wind turbines have no direct impact on groundwater and soil, as they do not require drilling or combustion of fuels. When establishing an energy park, agricultural operations cease, which will spare the groundwater from spraying and fertilizing.
Are there any harmful substances in the solar farm components?
We require our suppliers to ensure that the various components used in our energy parks do not contain harmful substances that can affect nature and the environment in the surrounding areas. Currently, the European Commission is working to strengthen the European supply network in terms of extraction and production of critical raw materials, which are used in the components of renewable energy parks. This will help make the EU more self-sufficient and push the green agenda. We continuously monitor developments and make necessary adjustments when this supply is ready.
How do you involve the local community?
We know that energy projects close to residential areas often raise concerns and uncertainty among local citizens, which we fully understand. That's why we start the dialog early in the development process. With early dialog we want to create transparency, uncover local interests and increase common understanding. We also focus on increasing local ownership by including input and ideas from the local population in the further development work, so that the project is developed in collaboration with the local community. The local dialog and involvement can consist of individual meetings with citizens where we get a direct insight into the impact of the project area. The dialog can also consist of a joint local information meeting where we go through the characteristics and technical features of the project and the rights of citizens. The main purpose of the dialog meetings is to listen to questions and concerns, as well as wishes and ideas for the project area. After dialoguing with the community, we incorporate the feedback received into the further development work in the best possible way. In collaboration with the local community, we establish and facilitate local forums that can act as a voice for the local community in the project development. Citizens volunteer to be part of local working groups.
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