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by gm 1947 days ago
This is one of those headlines that are missing the word "yet" at the end. All of the problems brought up are solvable, given enough time and resources.

Also given some f-ing ingenuity. This quote is just disingenuous: "the savings are canceled out by the land required to install the solar panels". Can't you just install solar panels vertically as well? A single web search for "vertical solar panels" brings up alternatives and even this article from 2017: https://offgridworld.com/3d-solar-panel-towers-increase-ener... . I'm sure a thorough search will solve that problem right away.

I just think the author has a beef against this type of farming and is playing dumb to validate his opinion.
1 comments
Majromax 1947 days ago
> This quote is just disingenuous: "the savings are canceled out by the land required to install the solar panels". Can't you just install solar panels vertically as well?

More to the point, solar panels don't need to be installed on arable land. Solar panels can be installed in low-fertility areas like deserts; offshore wind turbines are absolutely not displacing farmland.

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Ma8ee 1947 days ago
One suggestion I like a lot is making walls with solar panels along highways. They'd reduce sound pollution, hinders wild animals to run into the road while at the same time producing electricity in a space not used for anything else.
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e_y_ 1947 days ago
It wouldn't be particularly efficient, given that most of the day less than half the panels would be receiving direct sunlight.

I think a more practical option would be to put the solar panels above the road, such as https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/jun/06/tunnel-s... or https://renewsable.net/2017/06/28/south-korean-bike-highway-...

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Ma8ee 1947 days ago
Why do you think that less than half the panels will receive sunlight? Also, panels are very cheap today, so their placement doesn’t mean to be optimal. I believe the cost per kWh will be cheaper with panels mounted vertically off the ground than building a roof to place them on.
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hctaw 1947 days ago
On the homes, offices, and industrial parks surrounding the vertical farms as well.
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