No. Solar plates produce prints that are the same as the image side of the transparency - not mirror images. This is because the image side of the transparency goes face down on the photopolymer, producing a mirror image on the solar plate. Printing this then reverses the mirror image.

Yes. For a relief plate, a film negative is needed. (You can get this either by drawing the negative, by using a sophisticated photocopier that can create negatives from your positive image, by using the <invert> command on computer graphics software, or by asking print bureau to produce a negative film.

For an intaglio plate, a film positive is needed. This is much easier to draw, photocopy or print

Artists' and Fine Art Printmakers' suppliers in Britain are not yet stocking solar plate.  You need to find a friendly supplier in the commercial "flexography" printing industry.  You may need to club together with others because most printing industry suppliers are reluctant to sell less than a complete pack of forty (or twenty, depending on sizes) plates costing several hundred £.  As a rough guide, an A4 plate costs about £10.  Remember to ask for photopolymer plate, not solar plate (which is a fine art printmking term).

Are there any health & safety issues I should be aware of?

See the advice on the health & safety page