There are tons of warehouses being built in Pennsylvania. What if they were offered some sort of incentive to have solar on the roofs? Also as covered parking in large parking lots. Then they could be used to charge EVs.
6 Likes
How do we mitigate this?
yes, it should be a double as shaded parking lots and on roofs
3 Likes
I generally agree with your pointâplacing solar panels directly on productive land can be counterproductive, especially when it disrupts farming or everyday use. Instead, solar panels should be strategically installed on rooftops, parking lots, or raised structures. In fact, installing panels over parking lots as shade is a great idea and is already being used in many places to provide dual benefits: energy generation and shaded parking.
Additionally, agrivoltaics is another innovative approach where solar panels are placed above crops, allowing both farming and energy generation to coexist. This balances land use and ensures that valuable farmland isnât lost.
By focusing on rooftops and underutilized spaces, we can maximize solar energy production without negatively impacting daily life or agriculture.
6 Likes
Solar panels are intermittent energy producing products. They can only supply energy when the sun is shining on the panels at the correct angles. The batteries store very little energy, are fire hazards, and require rare minerals that are mainly mined by poorly paid workers and in some cases kids. We would be better off not using them at all.
3 Likes
I agree there are always concerns, but for example, if a hurricane hits a huge region, and the grid goes down, I would not personally oppose the construction of a means for that region(or sub-regions within the region) to switch to an infinite energy source (in emergencies). I am thinking of these areas in NC that are connected and majorly cut-off via bridges collapsing. Itâs probably not difficult to identify these vulnerable places, â but I donât know how complex it would be to coordinate an effort to have some kind of shared plot of land dedicated to Solar Power that serves as a back-up to that specific community.
For what itâs worth, I work for a Solar company (Maintenance Tech) so I am biased to all the advantages, but please donât think I am selling you anything. I just think people are a little overly paranoid on this issue of their âhazardsâ.
I personally would not be worried about battery systems if they are maintained. But again, not if the Battery power-plants and solar-fields are occupying land which can be used to feed us.
I would rather eat a full meal in the dark, than have a running, but empty, fridge.
5 Likes
As a former roofer - this would be a nightmare to work with. Costs for repairs would skyrocket - even small leaks would require you to de-energize your system.
3 Likes
We should get reimbursed at the rate we are charged for any extra energy we put into the grid from solar panels we personally purchased. We currently get 30% of what we would be charged back for any excess energy we provide to the grid, and that amount is determined by the energy company.
Sorry, you do know solar panels are already on roofs? Just making sure!
You are not wrong that leaks happen all the time. There are ways to attach to flat roofs that do not penetrate. Not aware of any on pitched roofs.
Naturally, it depends on the installation methods, the materials, the company itself, warranties on your installation, are factors that impact cost of Removal & ReinstallâŚ
1 Like
Lose the condescension- i have experience with commercial roofing and you obviously do not because all the roofers I have met agree solar pannels on roofs is a terrible idea - this is not the first time its been brought up.
Solar pannels on roofs save space, but this makes working on them a nightmare. Those non-penetrating solar pannels you mentioned may have to be lifted with a crane after being de-energized and disconnected so that the tech can look under them for a leak. This adds THOUSANDS of dollars to repair costs, reroofs, coating - anything that needs to be done up there.
Youâre also not going to get an emergency repair over critical infrastructure - itâd have to be scheduled and coordinated between rentals, the power company, and the business as cutting power may effect their production.
2 Likes
[So youre saying on building roofs isnt as good idea as making carparks shaded areas out of them? If theyre placed on building roofs its more difficuly to repair the building. If theyre stand-alone structures it would be less âŚdifficult?]
I totally agree that solar panels should be restricted to roofs and parking lots. That said, if there are solar panels on land, they should be spaced apart, and high enough to allow foraging animals access underneath, and the land underneath should be planted in grass.
Yes, stand alone would make sense for urban environments - maybe on concrete car garages.
While Iâd mentioned hidden costs, what I forgot to mention about commercial roofing systems is that existing construction is not designed to carry the additional weight of the solar pannels and would need to be structurally assessed and most likely reinforced to compensate for the additional weight.
3 Likes
I donât think theyâre actually placed on the ground there are usually on an angle on a stand, but it is a waste of property unless thatâs theyâre really high in the air. All major box stores should jump on this tax credit and have solar panels over there parking lots it would provide shade for the vehicles, they could produce a significant amount of electricity and sell it to the electricity company. Unfortunately Iâm pretty sure that solar electric production is not the goal thatâs the side effect the goal is to take land out of farming
4 Likes
Agree. These idiots are clear-cutting huge swaths of land to put down solar âfarmsâ creating hundreds of acres of lifeless land. No plants, no wildlife. This is environmentally friendly âgreenâ???
1 Like
They donât want any wildlife near them. They are viewed as potentially destructive to the panels and associated components.
Actually, I have seen photos of a solar installation where sheep were allowed to graze. Sheep are not wildlife. And if you place the panels high enough off the ground, sheep wonât harm them. Iâm not saying itâs ideal, but if they are going to INSIST on panels on bare ground, they ought to do this.
I can see that my goats use mine as a slide until I moved them straight up and down but yet my goats used to play on mine, now they just play on the car and use the windshield as a slide
This is an excellent point to get dual or triple use (Shade, Agrivoltaics, etc) for solar installations.
Check out my related policy on Agrivoltaics + Regenerative Ag.
[Expand USDA REAP Grant Program with Agrivoltaic Systems + Regenerative Agriculture Focus]
2 Likes
They are building one right over my daughters school water reserve. We have no way to fight, town meetings are ignored and the district attorney is ignoring all complaints she literally came in with the companys spokesperson smiling. Basically we have already lost out fight and are just waiting for the trucks to start.
1 Like