Re:Solar-driven water splitting at 13.8% solar-to-hydrogen e...
by ncmncm on Friday November 19, 2021 @05:31AM
(#29275756)
All of the world's existing pasturage is prime territory for solar installations. Adding solar to a pasture makes it better pasture, reduces evaporation, and cools the panels vs. desert installation.
Plants generally max out the amount of solar radiation they can absorb early in the day, so are not handicapped at all by partial shade. In fact, most benefit from it in numerous ways.
Installed between rows in active farmland, solar reduces water demand by up to 50%, which is a really huge benefit. Reducing heat and evaporation stress improves crop yields. So, a farm could move from barely getting by to solidly profitable by installing solar, even before selling the power. The panels just need to be placed so as not to interfere with driving a tractor between them.
So, no, there is absolutely no shortage of land for solar installations.
Plants generally max out the amount of solar radiation they can absorb early in the day, so are not handicapped at all by partial shade. In fact, most benefit from it in numerous ways.
Installed between rows in active farmland, solar reduces water demand by up to 50%, which is a really huge benefit. Reducing heat and evaporation stress improves crop yields. So, a farm could move from barely getting by to solidly profitable by installing solar, even before selling the power. The panels just need to be placed so as not to interfere with driving a tractor between them.
So, no, there is absolutely no shortage of land for solar installations.