Michael Fiore’s Post

Interesting article on the dark side of creating energy with Solar Panels. Seems like the first place you would want to put Solar Panels would be land that can't be used for anything else, but these Solar Panel companies are buying up rich farmland and rendering it useless for future crop production. Not only that, but based on the article the way they transform the land is creating a dust bowl effect. This is going to be interesting to watch. Reminds me of The Grapes of Wrath which was a dustbowl created by poor farming methods. https://lnkd.in/gGe-zZp2

Interesting article exploring the divide when it comes to the impact of solar expansion on food production and land economics. Food for thought.. Some key takeaways: - Solar expansion in the U.S. Midwest is encroaching on prime farmland, raising concerns about soil damage and loss of agricultural productivity. - Farmers leasing land for solar projects are experiencing issues like soil erosion and reduced crop yield potential. - Solar developers argue that the economic benefits of renewable energy outweigh the agricultural concerns. - Renewable energy growth is driving demand for land, sometimes leading to competition between farming and solar development. - The Biden Administration's decarbonization goals require significant solar energy capacity, raising questions about land use priorities. #SolarEnergy #RenewableEnergy #FarmlandProtection #Agrivoltaics #Agriculture Read the full article below: https://lnkd.in/emrNXatB

This latest Farm Progress article addresses the concerns and impact of Agrivoltaics, which refers to mixing agricultural practices and solar panels on the same land. Learn more about it's influence on land values and use here - https://lnkd.in/gHVAMum4

Can solar energy and agriculture co-exist? There are concerns about the impact of solar arrays on rural landscapes, property values, land use and local economies. Read more on the challenges and opportunities in solar: https://lnkd.in/gHVAMum4  #Solar #Agrivoltaics

Have you heard of 'agrovoltaics'? If not, let me share what this is all about. #Agrovoltaics involves #agricultural production occurring underneath or adjacent to #solar panels. Projects are springing up in lots of places seeking to optimise the benefits of such multi-use land. Here's a story about #SiliconRanch, who have co-located #sheep with their solar panels. What do people think about this type of #project? https://lnkd.in/eh6m3aKT

🌞🌾 Embracing sustainable energy requires careful consideration of its impact on farmland. A recent case in Indiana highlights the delicate balance between renewable energy development and agricultural preservation. At Flower Turbines, we understand the value of every square foot. Our innovative wind turbines, designed to utilize our unique "Bouquet Effect," enhance energy output without occupying extensive land. This allows for a harmonious blend of sustainable energy and agricultural productivity, ensuring that our solutions make the most of your space, proving that you can yield more zoom in less room.🌷💨 https://lnkd.in/dmsaxdmZ #SustainableEnergy #Innovation #Agriculture #FlowerTurbines #BouquetEffect

A great recent article about Agrivoltaics, a concept and strategy that will become more important as NY wrestles with the problem of farm land versus solar panel deployment. One answer: both/and!

Do you know why solar projects are often called "solar farms"? The analogy between solar energy production and traditional farming practices runs deeper than you might think. In this article, we explore the many similarities, highlighting how solar panels cultivate energy from the sun, the benefits of community solar "farming," and how these renewable energy projects can coexist with traditional agriculture practices, benefiting both farmers and local communities. Read on to learn more: https://hubs.li/Q02y0MmF0

FPV-Floating Photovoltaic introduction We have observed a significant increase in floating PV projects, where PV panels are mounted on floating bodies in water bodies such as lakes or reservoirs, unlike on land. Floating PV (FPV) plants bring a range of advantages and challenges, mainly in terms of operations and maintenance (O&M). Here are some of the key differences between the two: Land use: One of the biggest advantages of an FPV plant is that it does not require valuable land resources. In contrast, standard PV plants require a large amount of land to install solar panels, which can be challenging in areas where land is scarce or expensive; Cooling: The advantage of FPV installations is the ability to naturally cool their solar panels using the water in which they are installed as a heat sink. This can increase the efficiency of the solar panels and reduce the risk of overheating, which can be a problem in standard PV plants; Maintenance: FPV installations can be more difficult to maintain because they are located on the water and can be affected by waves, storms and other weather-related hazards. However, some maintenance issues associated with standard PV plants, such as cleaning the solar panels, may be easier to address in an FPV plant, as the water can naturally wash away any dust or debris; Environmental impacts: Both FPV and standard PV plants have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts associated with fossil fuel power generation. However, FPV installations also offer other advantages, such as reduced evaporation from the body of water where they are installed; Cost: The cost of an FPV plant can vary depending on a number of factors, including the size of the system, the type of technology used, and local weather conditions. However, since FPV plants do not require land, the use of land for farming, livestock, or to earn carbon credits must be considered in the technical/economic feasibility analysis. #solarenergy #renewableenergy #renewable #cleanpower #floatingPV #climatechange #Floatingprojects #solar #Floatingsolutions #photovoltaic #solardevelopment #solarproject #environment #PVFloating