Solar now requires no more upfront capital than coal or gas to produce the same annual electricity, reversing a disadvantage that was as large as five-to-one a decade ago.
It’s mainly there as a form of farm subsidy that bypasses restrictions thrown up by long-existing trade agreements. Canada provides no farm subsidies besides underwriting crop and moisture insurance premiums to an extent, but the US has a long history of flouting these restrictions.
As usual. Coincidentally it provides money for equipment manufacturers and inputs providers like Deere and Cargill. But I’m sure that’s just a happy coincidence of providing “food security”.
can be leased, and at end of lease, land is free for any use. ie. it is not polluted. Fossil plants need exclusion zones for air pollution and noise, and still depress neighbour property values.
What about the absurd amount of land it takes?
Putting solar panels on land used for biofuels would produce enough electricity for all cars and trucks to go electric:
How much energy can be produced on global land used for liquid biofuels: 32000 TWh for PV vs 1400 TWh biofuels for transport:
Remember that you can still use the land for a more useful agricultural crop with higher¹ or similar² yield³ with agrivoltaics
You can also put panels over parking lots. USA alone has more parking lot land area than some countries:
Biofuels: the least efficient form of solar power one could possibly invent.
It’s fine if you have ample fields and a low population with an excess of food.
It’s mainly there as a form of farm subsidy that bypasses restrictions thrown up by long-existing trade agreements. Canada provides no farm subsidies besides underwriting crop and moisture insurance premiums to an extent, but the US has a long history of flouting these restrictions.
As usual. Coincidentally it provides money for equipment manufacturers and inputs providers like Deere and Cargill. But I’m sure that’s just a happy coincidence of providing “food security”.
can be leased, and at end of lease, land is free for any use. ie. it is not polluted. Fossil plants need exclusion zones for air pollution and noise, and still depress neighbour property values.