[baron816]

There are better alternatives than rooftops. Covering canals and reservoirs works well because it also prevents evaporation. Farms and grazing land can also be covered with solar since a lot of plants and animals prefer not to be under direct sunlight all day.

[billythemaniam]

Imagine if every big box store parking lot was covered with a solar panel roof? Customers walk to the store in shade and out of rain, cars aren't extremely hot in summer when customer returns, electricity for EVs right there, excess can go to grid or batteries, not disruptive to anyone or ecosystem, large sizes. Obviously someone has to pay for it which is always the tricky bit.

[PaulDavisThe1st]

Here in Santa Fe (and urbanized NM in general), you're seeing this not in big box parking lots (yet), but in public building parking lots (including schools).

It is freakin' awesome. I imagine the 2nd graders at school around here, growing up with the idea that you can make electricity from sunlight just as second nature to them as the internet is to all of us freaks here on HN.

[billythemaniam]

Awesome!

[baron816]

Well, I’d prefer there to be much less parking in cities and for those big box parking lots to get filled in with housing or something more useful. But I guess it’s fine to put solar in them for now.