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Why haven’t we covered them in solar panels?
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In 2021, President Biden set an ambitious climate goal for the US to reach net-zero carbon emissions economy-wide by 2050. And as part of the transition to renewable energy, the country has drastically ramped up production of solar over the past few years. But that’s led to a new problem: finding enough land on which to put solar panels.
The easiest and cheapest places to install solar panels are often large, undeveloped plots of land. It’s why, in many places across the country, we’ve seen rural areas — including fragile desert ecosystems and valuable farmland — turned into solar farms. Many local residents and conservationists have protested these rural solar projects for a variety of reasons: Some want to keep natural views, others want to retain space for agriculture or aim to preserve biodiversity. Solar will likely play an important role in the country’s move away from fossil fuels — but is there a smarter way to do it that doesn’t require taking up so much rural land?
In the video above, we explore one option that could help: parking lots. Solar photovoltaics researcher and professor Joshua Pearce goes into the data on how placing solar canopies over parking lots could be a worthwhile investment for many cities. And as more countries, like France, are moving toward retrofitting parking spaces with solar, we look at what it could mean in the US.
SOURCES:
Studies:
https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1177&context=materials_fp
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0960148121000756?via%3Dihub
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03957-7
https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/state/
Further reading:
https://e360.yale.edu/features/putting-solar-panels-atop-parking-lots-a-green-energy-solution
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2023/02/06/france-solar-parking-lots/
https://www.vox.com/2021/8/18/22556193/solar-energy-biodiversity-birds-pollinator-land
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About The Author
The climate change has been a constant since the first day of the earth, and you can´t and shouldn´t fight against the nature. We must adapt to it. Now, the new global politic agenda uses this for their own benefit, blaming the humanity for something that is natural. Of course we have to protect the Earth, but there are literally thousands of scientists proving that the "Global warming caused by the humans" doesn't exist, and that it is all a scam. A new global political order is the target here. Remember that fear and guilt are the best weapons against the masses. Use your common sense and don't be idiotic.
Why dont people cycle??? Forget cars!!!
I think solar covered parking is a great idea, but another major change will happen in the next 20 years that's going to alter the landscape of cities (no pun intended). Robo taxis. Yes, they seem mythical, but they WILL happen, because the tech will be available, and the "rent" cost will be far more economical than owning a car. People who say "I will never not own a car" will change their tune if using a robo taxi is 1/10th the cost of owning, and that's what it will be. When robo taxis become the dominant form of transportation, what will you need parking lots for? You'll only need a place for pick up, loading, and drop off.
Again, I'm talking 20 years from now for a transition like that. That seems like a long time, but investors in the solar parking lot have to think long term.
Why not have solar panel in every roof of the buildings
Common sense will eventually prevail, as best practices spread.
Cash in with knowledge capital.
Lol, nuclear is the way.
More toxic panels that cant be recycled…. and literally produce a net negative overall….. this has nothing to do with sustainability lol.
„presented by delta airlines“ 😭😭
presented by Delta Airlines took me out
what this video and most discussion of solar panels or green energy sponsored by huge corporations like delta always leave out is that this is not a solution. it's a distraction from what the real problem is. be don't just need more green energy production, we need to REDUCE our energy consumption, and continuing to incentivize car-dependent development is only going to hurt us in the long run. the best thing to do about huge car parks is to stop making them, and ideally to rewild them, or at least transform them into some type of green space like a garden or park where native flora and fauna can thrive. in cases where this is not feasible or practical or possible for any other reason, the land should be used for mixed use developments. the buildings of these developments should be covered with solar panels, but that's a different discussion. our current issue is also that the patterns of development those in positions of power favour are inherently environmentally destructive.
I bet in the us , the lobby against solar will prevent it anyways. Lobby is the godking in the us
We don't want car parks at all!
I like how Americans will do everything other than using Trains.
Well… I know one thing for certain…
I never asked for this…
Zero Carbon is Nuclear Power plants..
Why isn't that understood
Maybe build a border wall and put solar panels on that!
This way, both sides can get something they want!
on top of all walmarts and other large stores
Like the comment below suggests, if we all just cut our chronic consumption the need for all this energy generation would be reduced greatly.
Forgot to mention that covering parking lots has a huge benefit to the people who use the parking lots – in reduced cabin temperatures when they come back to their vehicles. It's not just a win-win, it's multiple win-wins.
If they are building a shade structure for a car park anywhere in the world they should put solar on it
So with Disney example, it seems it was cheaper for them to acquire new land and build solar farm there then do it over the parking lot. That doesn’t make sense to me.
Cost is not the issue Greed is
I just can only wonder if placing solar panels overtop parking lots will provide more challenging for those huge snow plows trucks to clear the roads during the winter months in places where snowfall is common. And then what about the concern of shady spaces. Criminals like enclosed spaces, so these solar panels will only increase the likelihood of dark spaces in parking lots where criminals can be more sneaky and steal cars or other objects. Then what about night hours? There would probably have to be lights installed under these solar panels to replace the overhanging lights that would otherwise be lighting up the entire lot.
It's a pretty good idea, actually. So good that it should already have been done.
Could you imagine paying for walmart plus so you could have their solar as a power backup for blackouts😭
Since parking encourages driving (i.e. more global warming), simply ban cars from downtown, return to decent streetcar systems, use the ex-parking space to build urban housing (mixed use), and put solar arrays on all sunlit roofs and likewise-lit vertical surfaces.
Que video tan genial, genial, genial!
Update
Only in the US where the idea of a multi-storey carpark is a wild and out of this world concept
Imagine if Regan hadn't removed the solar panels off the white house.
Whynot puting solar panel directly upon the parking, like a shelter!
The way you fight climate change, is to make our government quit all Weather Modification contract with the NGO’s. There I fixed the problem, so stop with all this nonsense of spending trillions of dollars for nothing! All that money could be put to real problems. No UN NWO lies for their agenda!