Readers have responded to a question about why solar farms are often built on green spaces instead of over car parks, a popular internet meme. The discussion highlights that both options have merits and challenges.
Cost and Structural Challenges
One reader, pavanne, noted that putting solar panels over car parks costs more due to additional steel and wind load resistance. Ground-mount solar remains the cheapest source of new electricity. However, others argue that the amount of farmland used by solar panels is negligible and that the debate is often a false dichotomy.
Grid Balance and Distributed Generation
Person123456789 explained that the National Energy System Operator (NESO) for Great Britain needs to balance generation sources across the country. Large installations are easier to manage than many smaller ones. However, with falling battery storage costs, distributed generation like solar car parks becomes more viable.
Policy and Mandates
In France, legislation requires car parks to include solar panels, providing shade and electricity for charging. wyldfam noted that this makes sense and is cost-effective once implemented. In England, from 2028, 40% of the roof area of new homes must be solar panels, according to Randomusername222.
Alternative Locations
Readers suggested other sites: golf courses (which use 5-6 times more land than solar farms), motorways lined with wind turbines, reservoirs with floating panels (floatovoltaics, as in China), and rooftops of warehouses and data centres. Dorkalicious proposed burying royalty under car parks, referencing Richard III.
Coordination and Community Impact
Stuart_Dixon criticized the lack of coordination between industry and communities, noting that warehouses, data centres, and solar farms often encroach on green spaces. He suggested requiring data centres to generate their own power and reuse water in closed loops.
