The big problem with mass solar power generation is the fact that the large solar photo-voltaic arrays are being constructed on prime arable land, in effect replacing crops which should be growing on the land.
As fields of growing crops of any type/variety are natural CO2/CO absorbers (acre for acre growing crops absorb more CO2 than trees) and are oxygen emitters, they are being replaced by the solar arrays which do not absorb anything (other than light) and do not re-oxygenate anything either.
The NFU estimate that the use of arable land by solar arrays has increased our reliance on imported grain and other crops by 4% (and increasing) already. Thus, more grain and other crops now must be imported – either on ‘oil burning’ ships or air-freighted in (hardly ‘green’ is it)?
Then, when the bulk grain ships dock at Tees Port, the grain is loaded onto diesel hauled trains (no overhead wires so no electric trains) to be taken to one of the 5 bulk grain distribution sites dotted across the country. Then onwards by lorry.
So, although power companies laud it by saying they are using ‘renewable solar’ power, and saying how ‘green’ it is, they are not telling the full story. But then, they have a vested interest belying the fact they are only really interested in selling electricity regardless of anything else!
If the government thought about it (and were serious about ‘going green’), they would ban the use of solar arrays on arable land (and if necessary, confine them to ‘brownfield’ or industrial sites) and encourage the growing of more UK originated produce.