[nine_k]

This is cool. The sheer amount of mater required to build hydro storage should not be underestimated.

Another win is that you can put something below the solar panels, even grow shade-preferring plants below them. This is being done in many places. Otherwise it could be a storage area, a light industrial facility, a shopping mall, even a sports field. And for all the battery storage you can afford, of course.

[Gibbon1]

I think the answer for some area's is sheep. They can graze under the panels and don't chew on stuff like goats.

There is a whole interest in agrivoltaics as it's become apparent that the land under the solar panels remains productive. In the western US there is a lot of completely unproductive land to put solar panels on. But in the east and midwest being able to continue to use the land for agriculture is a win.

https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/agrivoltaics-solar-and-agr...

Random thought about fallow land under solar panels is the soil probably absorbs carbon over time.

[timschmidt]

Also car parks. Shields the cars from weather, and provides power right where you want it for charging. Can even aid guiding rainwater runoff to avoid contamination with petroleum products. And reduces the amount of heat absorbed by giant swaths of black asphalt.