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The overall point I took was the expanding space and thus transmission infrastructure which is therefor required is a huge expense and hidden overhead. >And in

The overall point I took was the expanding space and thus transmission infrastructure which is therefor required is a huge expense and hidden overhead. >And in some cases it means there is now shaded area in which plants can thrive, This would be fantastic if it were the case but I don't believe I have ever seen a single plant at a solar farm. They are typically extremely sterile environments. I live in the desert and thus near many extremely large solar farms. Nuclear will be the answer in the long run. I am pretty certain of this. It is generally reliable, not effected by the weather, can be placed nearly anywhere it is needed reducing infrastructure requirements. Obviously, there is a containment problem that needs to be solved which seems to be helped by smaller plants. ( not to mention Bill Gates made a huge investment in nuclear[0]. This should provide some indicator where wealth thinks the future is leading. [0]https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/08/bill-gates-terrapower-is-building-next-generation-nuclear-power.html https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/08/bill-gates-terrapower-is-bui...

Arnt 5y ago
I pass a couple regularly, at/near farms outsite the city. There's grass growing, it gets less sunlight than it would without the solar panels but it gets enough light for the grass. The grass seems to be used for hay or something like that. Many plants don't need direct sunlight, they do well with the diffuse light from the clouds. Of course those won't be happy in your desert climate where the sun is strong, they're more the likely to grow well in my native Norway, where there's little direct sun but a lot of diffuse light.
- kokanator 5y ago
  In the desert, most plants are dependent on the water that falls directly on them. Solar panels do not make this possible. Any space between the panels is also maintained. There are some plants that lay down gravel across the entire farm.
iab 5y ago
I also think that nuclear has to be a foundational piece, but the economics and politics of the situation are stacked against it. In the US, there would have to be a continuation of support across administrations; no way we are building plants in less than 4 years, and this makes me very pessimistic. Thoughts?
- kokanator 5y ago
  The political struggle is legitimate. A sustained agreed upon agenda is unlikely. Unfortunately.

Arnt 5y ago

I pass a couple regularly, at/near farms outsite the city. There's grass growing, it gets less sunlight than it would without the solar panels but it gets enough light for the grass. The grass seems to be used for hay or something like that. Many plants don't need direct sunlight, they do well with the diffuse light from the clouds. Of course those won't be happy in your desert climate where the sun is strong, they're more the likely to grow well in my native Norway, where there's little direct sun but a lot of diffuse light.

kokanator 5y ago
In the desert, most plants are dependent on the water that falls directly on them. Solar panels do not make this possible. Any space between the panels is also maintained. There are some plants that lay down gravel across the entire farm.

iab 5y ago

I also think that nuclear has to be a foundational piece, but the economics and politics of the situation are stacked against it. In the US, there would have to be a continuation of support across administrations; no way we are building plants in less than 4 years, and this makes me very pessimistic. Thoughts?

kokanator 5y ago
The political struggle is legitimate. A sustained agreed upon agenda is unlikely. Unfortunately.