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Solar farms can help to regenerate land while generating energy, new study finds (reneweconomy.com.au)

submitted 5 days ago by SteveKLord@slrpnk.net to c/energy@slrpnk.net

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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.

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[–] MasterBlaster@lemmy.world 8 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (2 children)

Imagine plains reseeded with the native grasses to replenish the 8 feet of topsoil that used to be there while generating lots of electricity.

The only wrinkle I see is those areas with panels would not be able to support bison, which are a critical part of that ecosystem.

Family farms can install panels to provide cover for certain crops that are suffering from excessive heat and evaporation in the southern parts of the U.S..

Panels over canals and lakes reduce evaporation and cool the surrounding areas.

Not much downside to solar.

[–] MonkeyTown@midwest.social 8 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (2 children)

Aktchully, the ideal height to install solar for max benefit for plants is also high enough to allow for large animals and people to pass right under them! (This isn't really a new finding, tbh)

It’s about 6 foot off the ground, or higher, and well-spaced. This allows sunlight to reach the whole ground as the sun moves, while still providing adequate shade to reduce plant burn and soil drying.

[–] MasterBlaster@lemmy.world 1 points 4 days ago

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.

[–] JustEnoughDucks@slrpnk.net 2 points 4 days ago (2 children)

First tornado winds that come through and vertical panels are toast, and horizontal 6ft from the ground would probably be difficult

[–] MonkeyTown@midwest.social 4 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Not difficult at all, just longer posts. Everything else is exactly the same as if tou installed it 3-or-whatevers-standard foot from the ground.

As for tornadoes, they don't happen in most places nearly as often as certain places in the US, just due to how they form and the conditions necessary, so largely irrelevant to most of the world. But beyond that, being near, but not on, the ground doesn't offer a lot of help in tornado force winds for something like solar. It’s likely to get damaged regardless how tall it is.

[–] jmill@lemmy.zip 1 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Tornado damage is isolated, it doesn't cover an area like a hurricane. Either a tornado goes over them and destroys them no matter how they are mounted, or the tornado is something happening somewhere else.

[–] pomegranatefern@sh.itjust.works 6 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Why wouldn't they be able to support bison? I have definitely seen solar successfully used for cow grazing pastures, and while cows are not bison, in terms of ability to destabilize a panel by throwing weight around and in terms of dietary needs, I can't see what would make bison less suitable for this than cows.

[–] MasterBlaster@lemmy.world 1 points 4 days ago

I wrote my thoughts on this in response to another comment.

[–] Elilol@fedinsfw.app 2 points 4 days ago

Any gardener could have told you as much..

[–] bluGill@fedia.io 1 points 4 days ago

Local details matter for things like this. Even if this is true in general, do not assume it will be true for your particular area. Sometimes it can even be true for your next door neighbor and not for you.

Local soils have a lot of small variation and those sometimes matter a lot.