Back in 2015 I noted that I had been wondering for some time why you couldn't combine massive solar farms and grazing and agriculture - just by setting up the panels on higher steel framework. Some crops might even do better in the middle of summer with a bit of shade - who knows? A lot of cows and sheep would appreciate it, too.
It would seem from this video (a few months old now) that the idea is still being researched:
Seems kind of obvious to me that it's a good idea in those parts of Australia which you want to retain good quality land for agricultural purposes.
Now I wonder when anyone will listen to my oft repeated suggestion that Wivenhoe Dam near Brisbane should be at least a third covered in floating solar panels?
I'd have to admit that this seems more sane then most greenie ideas. To take land out of production for "solar farms" is an abomination. However these mixed use arrangements I can't find too much fault with.
ReplyDeleteBut its getting away from what is really needed. What is really needed is cell-grazing at first, then morphing towards food forests with 7 layers of growth. One supposes where electricity is needed you could replace the over-story with solar panels, but its very much besides the point.
See the crops below the solar panels? They are monoculture. Monoculture is a blight on nature. Whether its an invasive species or manmade. Okay so I admit the represented image is an improvement on what we often had. But its shooting for second worst. We have to aim higher.