A new study has demonstrated the regenerative effect that solar farms can have on degraded and depleted land, by sheltering it from harsh winds, pushing down surface and soil temperatures, and boosting soil moisture.
The study, published in the journal Geography and Sustainability, synthesises 147 individual studies on a range of different land types and across a range of climate variables, to see how solar farms interact with their immediate environment.
“Unlike the pollutant-dominant environmental impacts of fossil fuels, solar power exerts climate- and ecology-dominant influences on the entire environment,” the study finds.
“By changing land surface radiative properties, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems create new energy interaction interfaces with original ecosystems, thereby modifying land surface processes and associated climate variables.”
Across the 147 total studies analysed in the report’s meta-analysis, 609 solar farms were examined, the vast majority of which were located in the Northern Hemisphere, with the largest number in China (316), the United States (104), and India (44). This is consistent with their global rankings as the top three countries in terms of installed solar PV capacity.
I knew about the heights, but I feel (have no facts) that such large herd animals would shy away from such structures if for no other reason than herd safety.
If the grass is sweet enough vs elsewhere, maybe they go for it. Plus such facilities are likely to be bound by fencing for equipment safety.