r/UpliftingNews • u/ArgentineBeauty • 4h ago

Two Minnesota solar farms planted native grasses and wildflowers beneath their panels. Five years later, flowering plant species had increased sevenfold, native bee numbers more than 20 fold and total insect numbers had tripled, while more bees were also visiting nearby soybean fields.

https://www.ecoticias.com/en/two-minnesota-solar-farms-turned-the-ground-beneath-their-panels-into-habitat-and-native-bee-abundance-rose-more-than-20-fold/36680/
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u/MyCoffeeIsCold 3h ago

Solar is great and has a place in our energy portfolio in the right locations.

We have had proposals to clear cut 60-70 acres of FOREST for solar projects here in New York. One of the dumbest things I have ever heard.

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u/Krillin113 3h ago

Solar needs to be put on agricultural land

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u/Gladiateher 3h ago

I partially agree, but the good news is we have multiple fantastic options:

https://www.euronews.com/2023/11/13/float-ovoltaics-how-floating-solar-panels-in-reservoirs-could-revolutionise-global-power

We have rooftops, desert and grasslands, reservoirs and bodies of water, and so much more.

Historically red Texas and Florida are both leading the nation in solar, wind, and battery right now.

I truly believe we’re in the midst of a green revolution, and I personally think with one more small breakthrough in battery technology our entire society is going to start transforming in some pretty mind bending ways.

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u/MyCoffeeIsCold 2h ago

This is the right answer. The right renewable in the right location makes the most sense.