Solar Fields

Have you ever been to a solar field?

Solar fields (also known as solar farms) are areas of land on which rows of solar panels are constructed to gather sunlight energy and provide clean, green electricity for nearby residents.  Some regions, like the Sahara Desert are not yet tapped for potential.  If an area the size of Austria in the Sahara was covered with solar panels, it alone would generate renewable energy for the entire world.

Sound like an impossibly large area?  Consider that the Desert itself is more than 100 times the size of Austria.   Only 1% of this remote, harsh region would be impacted, with a tremendous return.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy:

“Each day more solar energy falls to the Earth than the total amount of energy the planet’s 6 billion inhabitants would consume in 27 years . . . .”

Can you imagine?  No more wars over oil regions.  No more slick birds and fish trapped in sludge when tankers collide or sink.  No more drilling in sensitive wildlife reserves and along beautiful shorelines.  True energy independence.

We are only limited by our own imagination, technology that is continuing to advance, and the gripping power of oil companies and “the way it has been done.”

Even though the Sahara is still a dream solar field location, there are many other farms that have been developed or are under consideration.  A new photovoltaic power station under construction in Xining of Qinghai Province, will provide plenty of power for the growing industrial nation.   An area is also being tested in Israel with cutting edge solar panels, as shown in this video:

Europe has a number of solar fields.  In fact, just a few weeks ago, a security firm was hired for areas of Spain in which solar fields are prevalent, in order to prevent theft and damage to the precious solar panels:

“Solar fields are part of the critical national infrastructure and require reliable and stable security systems” said Aviram Segal, MATE vice president of sales and marketing. “We are pleased that MATE is increasingly selected as the preferred provider to secure these and similar types of important sites.”

Here in the United States, a plan to construct a solar field on top of a capped landfill in Toledo, Ohio, is under consideration by the City Council.  The $5 million project would generate electricity, create jobs and also support the state’s developing solar energy industry.  The City estimates that it could save $12 million/year in utility bills.

All eyes are on this project, considering that Northwest Ohio is a leading region in the country for low-cost solar-panel production.  It makes sense for a solar field development, particularly on a reclaimed area that might not otherwise be put to efficient use.

Not everyone enjoys the view of giant solar fields.  However, there are remote stretches of the world on which solar panels can be erected without disrputing existing uses or viewsheds.  Brownfields covered with solar panels are a particularly good idea (as in Ohio) where use of land may be otherwise limited.