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Solar panels heat the earth: https://www.greenbiz.com/article/giant-desert-solar-farms-might-have-unintended-climate-consequences https://www.greenbiz.com/artic
by paulkrush 4y ago
Solar panels heat the earth: https://www.greenbiz.com/article/giant-desert-solar-farms-might-have-unintended-climate-consequences https://www.greenbiz.com/article/giant-desert-solar-farms-mi...
- pshc 4y agoMore or less than fossil fuels?
- samatman 4y agoIrrelevant, the point is that they don't increase albedo so deploying absurd amounts of them won't cool the atmosphere.
- cdot2 4y agoMore or less than nuclear?
- pshc 4y agoWhether it’s with solar or nuclear (or wind, hydro, geothermal, or what have you) I think it’s clear that the fossils need to be replaced foremost.
- ncmncm 4y agoPutting solar panels in deserts is a very stupid use of those solar panels, in any case. The only reason solar farms are placed in deserts is that pig-ignorant investors love the idea, so there are oceans of money earmarked for it.
- rileyphone 4y agoWhat's wrong with putting solar panels in deserts? Increased maintenance? Distance from civilization?
- itishappy 4y agoThey also loose efficiency with heat, about 0.5%/°C, so cheap panels can be 25% less efficient.
- ncmncm 4y agoThey gather dust, which can cut output 50%. That is on top of the heat induced loss of conversion efficiency, and reduced panel life. And, yes, you need to build transmission lines. They go better in pastures and floating on canals and reservoirs.
- Schroedingersat 4y agoOnly if placed above high albedo surfaces. And when placed above existing grass several times less than any other option except wind/tidal. A solar panel above asphalt or concrete provides a net increase in albedo. And there is more than enough to provide the required solar share of energy to provide all our needs (with the other half provided by wind).