How solar farms took over the California desert: ‘An oasis has become a dead sea’

[DigitalDrifter]

Where I currently live, solar farms are springing up, and they are ugly as hell and have ruined the beauty of the landscape.

“We had a guy pull in the other day towing a big boat,” says Don Sneddon, a local resident. “He asked us how to get to the launch ramp to the lake. I don’t think he realised he was looking at a lake of solar panels.”

Deep in the Mojave desert, about halfway between Los Angeles and Phoenix, a sparkling blue sea shimmers on the horizon. Visible from the I-10 highway, amid the parched plains and sun-baked mountains, it is an improbable sight: a deep blue slick stretching for miles across the Chuckwalla Valley, forming an endless glistening mirror.

MSN

 

[Dante Reawakened]

Where I currently live, solar farms are springing up, and they are ugly as hell and have ruined the beauty of the landscape.

“We had a guy pull in the other day towing a big boat,” says Don Sneddon, a local resident. “He asked us how to get to the launch ramp to the lake. I don’t think he realised he was looking at a lake of solar panels.”

MSN

Desert Center? Ever been there?

 

[Burgermeister]

There is nothing that liberals can't ruin.

 

[Dante Reawakened]

Where I currently live, solar farms are springing up, and they are ugly as hell and have ruined the beauty of the landscape.

“We had a guy pull in the other day towing a big boat,” says Don Sneddon, a local resident. “He asked us how to get to the launch ramp to the lake. I don’t think he realised he was looking at a lake of solar panels.”

MSN

I like the guy that does solar panels .. se what he says at the end of article. What a dooooosh

I do believe roof tops are better and batteries? Therein lies the issue(s).

 

[Dante Reawakened]

There is nothing that liberals can't ruin.

You mean the money grubbing capitalist liberals?

 

[Manonthestreet]

Depleting the water too

 

[okfine]

Are you crying about Palm Desert, Desert Springs, too? Such an oasis.

BTW, is that Coach Sneddon?

 

[okfine]

Desert Center? Ever been there?

It's such an "oasis"

 

[petro]

Where I currently live, solar farms are springing up, and they are ugly as hell and have ruined the beauty of the landscape.

“We had a guy pull in the other day towing a big boat,” says Don Sneddon, a local resident. “He asked us how to get to the launch ramp to the lake. I don’t think he realised he was looking at a lake of solar panels.”

MSN

They are springing up in MN.
This winter I was wondering how efficient they are covered in snow. Didn't look like they were cleaned off after snowstorms.

 

[Dante Reawakened]

It's such an "oasis"

Been there. It's okay. Far far away from things

 

[okfine]

Been there. It's okay. Far far away from things

I used to club race at Chuckwalla. It gets stifling hot with no shortage of sun.

 

[Dante Reawakened]

I used to club race at Chuckwalla. It gets stifling hot with no shortage of sun.

that's a crowded place at times, but the area itself is ... like Slab City

 

[okfine]

that's a crowded place at times, but the area itself is ... like Slab City

Chicken dancing is the norm.

 

[DigitalDrifter]

Where I live the panels are right next to the roadway, and they are unsightly.

 

[okfine]

Where I live the panels are right next to the roadway, and they are unsightly.

Move then.

 

[DigitalDrifter]

They are like this:

 

[ReinyDays]

The OP states he's from Oregon ... and I can assure everyone there's plenty of desert wasteland in Oregon to put up solar panels ... areas unfit for human habitation ... but you'll have to build these farms up north, near the Columbia River ... near the main trunk lines taking carbon-neutral environmentally-safe immenently-renewable hydropower to California ... where the wind farms are ... [ka'ching] ... Californicating the Californians ha ha ha ha ha ...

Solar panels go on roof tops ... producing electricity where it's being used ... plant trees along the streets ... reducing the need for electricity ... either it pays for itself or it doesn't ... decide based on that alone ... unless you're made of money like California ...

 

[Dante Reawakened]

Chicken dancing is the norm.

Man, I have to revisit area. I was there two years ago or so.

 

[Dante Reawakened]

Where I live the panels are right next to the roadway, and they are unsightly.

I've seen that, but highways/freeways , the interstate is f-ugly

In great empty expanses, those farms add something interesting too look at if, that is what you believe is important on the highways

 

[Dante Reawakened]

Move then.

agree