Solar alters desert environment

[MarathonMike]

That sounds like a good idea on paper (growing plants under the panels) but I bet it would be ridiculously labor intensive

It's already being done. It's called "agrivoltaics" here's an article I found on it.

World’s Largest Solar Farm Yields Agrivoltaic Win

This agrivoltaic farm generates enough to power 300 private homes, and grows tomatoes, turnips, carrots, squash, beets, lettuce, kale, chard, and peppers.

www.agritecture.com

 

[elektra]

I try to be fair about "green energy". My observation here in Arizona is that the big solar farms are a net benefit providing significant energy to the state. I would like to see the shade under the panels utilized for growing plants, I haven't seen much of that.

You couldn't grow a mushroom under a solar panel.

Big solar farms in Arizona were only built with tax money and have raised the electric rates in Arizona.

My observation is Arizona does not have the water to wash the desert dirt off the panels.

 

[elektra]

It's already being done. It's called "agrivoltaics" here's an article I found on it.

World’s Largest Solar Farm Yields Agrivoltaic Win

This agrivoltaic farm generates enough to power 300 private homes, and grows tomatoes, turnips, carrots, squash, beets, lettuce, kale, chard, and peppers.

www.agritecture.com

Why did they photo shop the picture!

 

[MarathonMike]

You couldn't grow a mushroom under a solar panel.

Big solar farms in Arizona were only built with tax money and have raised the electric rates in Arizona.

My observation is Arizona does not have the water to wash the desert dirt off the panels.

See my post #21 above. Between rain capture systems and ground water agrivoltaics is very feasible with certain crops in Arizona. Do you live here? I do.

 

[elektra]

See my post #21 above. Between rain capture systems and ground water agrivoltaics is very feasible with certain crops in Arizona. Do you live here? I do.

I spent years in Arizona.
Sure, you say it is great. It is not.
First and foremost as a source of electricity solar is a complete failure.
And, the best growing conditions is not in the shade.
The best growing conditions are not under solar panels

 

[MarathonMike]

I spent years in Arizona.
Sure, you say it is great. It is not.
First and foremost as a source of electricity solar is a complete failure.
And, the best growing conditions is not in the shade.
The best growing conditions are not under solar panels

I'm not saying it's great, it has it's good and it's bad. I agree with you that there are very questionable things going on with giant solar farms and the energy not benefiting the local community. But solar as a technology does make sense here where it does not in cold, cloudy climates. And plants growing under solar panels would be getting partial sun which is fine for the right crops.

 

[westwall]

Data from multiple sites and sources indicate that solar has a beneficial impact on deserts. It cools the ground in the day, and warms it at night. As well as helping conserve moisture in the soil.

MSN

No, that's the greening of the deserts thanks to increased CO2 in the atmosphere.

DURRRRRR

 

[my2¢]

It would be great if our parking lots were covered with solar panels.

 

[westwall]

It would be great if our parking lots were covered with solar panels.

That is actually a good idea.

 

[elektra]

I'm not saying it's great, it has it's good and it's bad. I agree with you that there are very questionable things going on with giant solar farms and the energy not benefiting the local community. But solar as a technology does make sense here where it does not in cold, cloudy climates. And plants growing under solar panels would be getting partial sun which is fine for the right crops.

Water, you got to pump water to the solar farm with electricity from the nuclear power plant

 

[elektra]

I can see the windmills here,

What about the leading edge erosion resulting in the micro-plastic pollution

 

[petro]

What about the leading edge erosion resulting in the micro-plastic pollution

I never said it was green.

 

[elektra]

I never said it was green.

What about the leading edge damage, the erosion. Little bits of epoxy, plastics, fiberglass. We can never clean it up. Why add more pollution for so little electricity.

 

[petro]

What about the leading edge damage, the erosion. Little bits of epoxy, plastics, fiberglass. We can never clean it up. Why add more pollution for so little electricity.

Where in hell did you get the idea I was selling it?
My comment was only that we have more wind than sun.
My voice on this site has been quite consistent on the lies of "green" energy. See post 8 and you will find agreement
You are barking up the wrong tree.

 

[elektra]

Where in hell did you get the idea I was selling it?
My comment was only that we have more wind than sun.
My voice on this site has been quite consistent on the lies of "green" energy. See post 8 and you will find agreement
You are barking up the wrong tree.

Sounded like you stated you did not mind the wind turbines cause you can farm around them. So I asked about the erosion damage resulting in micro-plastics.

 

[elektra]

I can see the windmills here, but the solar is definitely dumb, and at least you can still have productive farmland around a windmill,

????
I guess this can have two meanings, solar is dumb wind is not? Followed by stating a benefit?

 

[ding]

Either way it is proven solar panels create hot spots, increase the temperature

Actually the opposite. Any solar radiation that is converted into electricity is solar radiation that does not heat the surface of the planet.

 

[Dekster]

Solar is more appropriate in some places than in others. One of the problems I have heard about in our region is that they tend to shade out plants leading to increased soil erosion that leads to more water contamination. Perhaps that could be addressed by mounting the panels higher in the air but that would also cost more and be logistically more difficult as for their maintenance. Anyway, there's no one-size fits all solution. They'll sort it our over time through trial and error.

 

[petro]

Sounded like you stated you did not mind the wind turbines cause you can farm around them. So I asked about the erosion damage resulting in micro-plastics.

Seems like you are just looking to argue, even with people who agree.
Move on already.

 

[elektra]

Seems like you are just looking to argue, even with people who agree.
Move on already.

I just told you how I read your comment and you replied with an argument.

The way you compared wind to solar stating solar is dumb then stating a benefit of wind is you can farm where there are no wind turbines. You started the argument by using a piss poor choice of words or you endorsed wind turbines

Do you support wind turbines, yes or no.