Except when it hails and then all the chemicals that make the solar panels work pour into the soil and make it toxic for…we really dont know how long, that eliminates farming and or grazing for livestock for the forseeable future.
Not relevant. Hail will wreck solar panels on the roof, too. And until they are destroyed, sheep can still graze under them. If there is no grazing there while the panels are intact, it doesn’t matter to the sheep if it hails. If you are arguing that means we shouldn’t put them in fields, note that I agree with you in general, and simply stipulated that if they insist on placing them in fields anyway, they should space them, plant grass, and let sheep graze there. That’s all.
1 Like
Great example of multi uses of solar systems supporting a Farm vs. taking up ag. land.
1 Like
I’m not being condescending, I just didn’t fully understand your statement, so I was clarifying - not taking any tone.
I work in Solar Maintenance for Tesla, I am on roofs as a Solar Installer all day long - yet I agree with you, installing solar panels on roofs can lead to leaks and personally would never install them on my own house for this reason.
Flat commerical roofs (malls, factories, schools, colleges etc etc) are ideal for solar panels, but if someone wants residential solar, I would suggest looking into Ground-Mount systems.
And yes, it is completely feasible to disconnect one branch of a solar circuit and leave the rest functioning without all the costs that you are detailing. It all depends on the size of the job and what the problem is.
The local power company does not need to be “notified” when a rooftop Solar circuit is going offline, you can perform maintenance at any point.
Obviously if there’s massive damage (roof wise), the panels will be disconnected and often stacked somewhere on the roof. Many Solar Installation companies will provide smaller roof repairs themselves, skipping the middle-man of a roofer-contractor.
Putting solar panels above parking areas, integrating them into commercial structures is very functional idea. If roof leaks happen, it keeps the roofers and the solar maintenance teams in business, win-win-win.
Its 100% illogical
Drive through a solar field sometime - they’re huge. Its not one or 2 pannels - there are hundreds.
You work with Tesla, then you should know that you’re doubling if not trippling the amount of weight this puts on a roof. The structure would need to be reinforced or in many cases rebuilt.
The EPDM/TPO membrain would need to be reinforced as well (just about the most expensive stuff you can buy). Which means an entirely new membrane. Keep in mind, commercial roofs are only warrented for 20-30 years - so its a reocurring exponential cost.
Solar panel systems are designed for the roofs they are placed on. Every installation is approved by company engineers and local building inspectors for all the structural and electrical concerns.
There are many manufacturers, types of panels, and system-designs that can accommodate various roofs. However I am not familiar with the process that allows solar-fields to occupy via farmlands.
I am not stating that solar “fields” are able to fit on commercial roofs. I am stating that a very appropriate and functional use of “solar panels on roofs” is in commercial applications, versus residential, sloped roofs. The exception being, viable farmland, which should be prioritized.
[If roofing structural and financial costs would be too difficult then they should just be used as standalone shade structures with enough room underneath for walking, parking, driving.]
We should incentivize any new parking lots require a solar panel roof structure via federal stimulus.
Only where:
- Sunlight is pervasive.
- Natural disasters are low risk.
- Energy grids can sustain the load.
- Max size based on parking lot size (shopping malls vs. kroger).
I have a more in-depth policy proposal for this: Federal Incentive for Solar Panel Installations on Parking Lot Roofs
2 Likes
Most “uninhabital” land still harbors wildlife which is already terribly impacted by urban sprawl.
I don’t doubt it.
I also don’t doubt our ability to develop synergistic solutions i.e. which can reduce the impact on the direct environment but still maximize the function of solar, where NEEDED.
One problem with solar is that it is a low density energy source. By placing fields of them many miles from where energy is used, quite a lot of extra infrastructure is used.
It is better for land usage and resources to place solar on houses, paring lots, and public spaces where shade would be welcomed. The closer to the grid, the fewer resources needed with installation and operation
Solar panels over parking lots
2 Likes
We have all these parking lots isn’t there a way to make them so we have shade to park our cars under? Or in ND and MN along the interstates as a wind break for the snow and drifting?
1 Like
Personally i feel solar panels should cover parking lots and be on roofs. Anywhere but on otherwise bare land.
1 Like
Place solar panels on roof of all government buildings and government parking lots.