KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Solar Farms are large-scale solar installations where solar panels are used to harvest the sun's power.
- Utility-scale solar farms can have a capacity of anywhere between 1 MW to 2,000 MW. The energy produced by a solar farm depends on how big it is.
- With decades of combined experience serving clients of all types and sizes, STEVENS has the knowledge and skills needed to meet the demands of renewable energy projects like solar farms.
Did you know the sun gives off enough energy in one hour to satisfy the worldwide energy needs for one year?
The sun is indeed an incredible energy source, and we are just scratching the surface of being able to harness its true power.
That's why the renewable energy industry is beginning to take off, and solar farms are sprouting up across America.
They are popping up in all shapes and sizes, from small for local communities to massive, utility-scale solar farms powering thousands of homes.
In the article below, we will discuss what a solar farm is and the power it can harness.
Table Of Contents
- What's A Solar Farm?
- How Does A Solar Farm Work?
- How Much Does A Solar Farm Cost?
- Utility Solar vs. Community Solar
- How Much Energy Can A Solar Farm Produce?
- Energy And Power Industrial Construction Services
What Is A Solar Farm?
A solar farm is a large-scale solar installation where photovoltaic power stations convert abundant sunlight into electricity.
Unlike rooftop panels, these ground-mounted solar arrays span thousands of acres of land, making them ideal for large-scale solar projects.
Solar power plants or solar facilities help reduce reliance on fossil fuel power by supplying clean energy to the electrical grid.
Unlike fossil fuel plants, they generate solar electricity without the negative impact of carbon emissions.
These solar power projects serve energy companies and electric utilities through power purchase agreements, helping to lower electricity costs and meet growing energy demands.
Solar farms vary in project size, from community solar marketplaces supporting rural communities to massive utility-scale installations.
Their enormous size allows them to produce significant amounts of electricity, promoting energy independence and a more sustainable energy market.
Many also incorporate battery energy storage systems for greater efficiency.
How Does A Solar Farm Work?
Solar farms transform abundant sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic power stations spread across thousands of acres of land.
These large-scale solar projects are often built on agricultural land, repurposing unoccupied farmland for clean energy production.
Ground-mounted solar arrays capture solar energy and convert it into electrical current, which flows into the electrical grid for distribution by electric utilities.
Many solar facilities operate under power purchase agreements, enabling energy companies to purchase electricity at a lower cost of electricity generation.
Unlike fossil fuel plants, solar farms reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower carbon emissions.
Some large-scale installations integrate battery energy storage systems to store surplus energy, ensuring power generation even during extreme weather.
Solar developments also benefit family farms through solar lease agreements, creating mutual benefits between agricultural production and renewable energy sources.
How Much Does A Solar Farm Cost?
Building a solar farm in 2025 involves several cost factors, primarily influenced by project size and location.
Utility-scale solar power plants average approximately $0.98 per watt, excluding land acquisition expenses.
Consequently, a 1-megawatt (MW) solar farm, capable of powering 100 to 250 homes, may cost around $980,000.
In contrast, residential solar installations are more expensive per watt.
The average cost for residential solar panels is about $2.90 per watt in 2025.
A typical 5-kilowatt (kW) home system would total approximately $14,500 before incentives.
While the upfront costs for solar farms are substantial, their large-scale installation benefits from economies of scale, resulting in a lower cost per watt than residential setups.
Additionally, solar developments contribute to reducing reliance on fossil fuels, promoting clean energy, and decreasing carbon emissions.
Incentives like the federal solar tax credit can further offset installation expenses, enhancing the financial viability of solar power projects.
It's important to note that costs can vary based on location, land costs, and specific project requirements.
Engaging with experienced energy companies can provide more precise estimates tailored to individual project needs.
Utility Solar vs. Community Solar
The thousands of solar panel installations in the U.S. can be grouped into two types of solar farms based on size.
- Utility-scale
- Community solar
The most significant difference between utility-scale and community solar farms is size and scale.
Utility-scale solar farms tend to power a larger electricity grid than community solar.
Utility-scale solar farms can have a capacity of anywhere between 1 MW to 2,000 MW.
Community solar farms are typically under 5 MW in size.
It's not uncommon to find ones that are under 100 kW.
Another key difference is who they send their power to.
Community solar farm projects serve members of a community who have paid for a share of its power output.
Utility solar farms serve a local utility company and all of its customers as part of the energy mix it carries on its power lines.
How Much Energy Can A Solar Farm Produce?
The energy production of a solar farm depends on its project size and available sunlight.
Large-scale solar projects, such as photovoltaic power stations, can generate massive amounts of electricity to meet energy demands.
One of the largest solar power plants in the world, Longyangxia Dam Solar Park in China, spans thousands of acres of land and generates approximately 850 MW of solar electricity daily.
The Desert Sunlight Project, a 550 MW solar facility in California, helps power the U.S. electricity system with clean energy.
Meanwhile, the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System, a solar thermal energy farm in the Mojave Desert, produces up to 392 MW daily.
These solar developments are crucial in reducing carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.
Many solar farms also incorporate battery energy storage systems, ensuring power generation remains stable during extreme weather events.
STEVENS Renewable Energy Construction Services
STEVENS specializes in building power systems and solar facilities that support clean energy and large-scale solar projects.
With extensive experience in renewable energy sources, our team delivers high-quality solar power plants that help reduce carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.
Our expertise includes ground-mounted solar arrays, photovoltaic power stations, and battery energy storage systems designed to enhance energy production and efficiency.
We work with energy companies, business owners, and electric utilities to develop solar power projects that meet growing energy demands while lowering electricity costs.
Whether installing solar equipment on agricultural land or managing solar developments that span thousands of acres, STEVENS ensures maximum material recovery and sustainable project execution.
Our commitment to reducing the environmental impact of solar construction makes us a trusted partner in the renewable energy industry.
Contact us today to learn how STEVENS can assist with your solar lease, power generation, or next solar installation.
References:
https://theberkey.com/blogs/water-filter/what-is-a-solar-farm-what-are-the-pros-and-cons
https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/storage/what-is-a-solar-farm/
https://chariotenergy.com/chariot-university/solar-farms/
https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/what-is-a-solar-farm-do-i-need-one
https://news.energysage.com/solar-farms-start-one/
