Climate Change is Slowly Destroying the Great Barrier Reef

As we are all continuing to digest the headlines that broke last month regarding the massive Amazon Rainforest fires in Brazil, another distressing headline has emerged from another part of the world. According to the Australian government, the long-term health of #the Great Barrier Reef in Australia has been downgraded from ‘poor’ to ‘very poor.’ The last time Australia released a report on the health of the #Great Barrier Reef was back in 2014 when it received its former ‘poor’ status. Now, after just 5 short years, the Great Barrier Reef has continued to suffer and deteriorate rapidly, earning it a status that should concern citizens worldwide. Researchers are pointing to #climate change as the reason why the Reef is not improving and declining more quickly than ever. 

Inside the 2019 Great Barrier Reef Report 

According to the 2019 Outlook Report released by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, an Australia government agency, the “window of opportunity to improve the Reef’s long-term future is now.” As climate change has escalated, damage to the Reef has ensued. To mitigate these effects, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority is calling for immediate action worldwide to combat climate change to help restore the Great Barrier Reef. 

The damage that the Reef has experienced from climate change is most readily seen in the coral color bleaching that has occurred over the last several years. To understand the damages from climate change on the Reef’s coral, it is important to know that algae and coral have a symbiotic relationship – they depend on one another to survive. When coral is healthy, the algae flock to them and provide nourishment to the coral. Under times of extreme heat and light exposure, coral becomes stressed and the partnership begins to breakdown. Eventually, the coral will be expelled of all algae and turn white. As a result of climate change and #global warming, there has been a fivefold increase in severe bleaching events over the past four decades. As of 2018, coral growth has been reduced by 90 percent. 

Back in 2014 when the last report was released, the greatest threats to the Reef included climate change, coastal developments, land runoff, and certain types of fishing. Now, climate change has effectively outweighed all other threats and is now the primary concern among researchers. The Great Barrier Reef just so happens to be the world’s largest living structure – and perhaps, a sobering representation of the damage climate change has done to our planet thus far. 

What is in Store for the Great Barrier Reef? 

Although the report on the Great Barrier Reef is quite grim, some positive changes have come about in recent years. Due to conservation efforts in the region, populations of both southern green sea turtles and humpback whales are slowly growing. Certain areas of the Reef are also showing signs of water quality improvement. 

Despite some promising improvements, however, the report states that by 2030, we may see a much drabber Reef with less fish, major losses to seagrass meadows, and continued threats from heatwaves. The report urges action on the part of those in the region, but also across the world. Combating climate change is a worldwide responsibility. If we are to see any improvement to the Great Barrier Reef, action must be taken immediately. 

The Time to Fight Climate Change is Now 

It seems that with each passing week, headlines describe a new catastrophe or disaster plaguing our planet. From glacier melting, to rainforests on fire, and now, the threat to the Great Barrier Reef, it is safe to say we are in dire need of a revolution. If humanity as a whole is going to stubbornly insist on continuing down this path of willful negligence and ignorance regarding the health of our planet, we can expect to see more of these discouraging reports coming forth in the mainstream media.  

Climate change deniers and those who choose to turn a blind eye to the severity of the problem are simply not paying attention. The time to act is now. That is, if we are not already too late to make a radical, positive shift in the right direction. Ultimately, whether or not our planet will be inhabitable 50 to 100 years from now will be humanity’s choice. So far, we are choosing to destroy our home swiftly and without apology. 

Read the official 2019 Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report here: http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/our-work/outlook-report-2019 

Resources: 

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/30082019/coral-bleaching-great-barrier-reef-climate-change-australia-ocean-2019-report 

https://www.npr.org/2019/08/30/755846052/australia-says-great-barrier-reef-has-very-poor-outlook-climate-change-to-blame 

Colorado’s Biggest Single Rooftop Solar Array Installed by Amazon

The biggest single rooftop #solar array has been installed in #Thornton, #Colorado thanks to #Amazon. The solar power array is located at a sizeable robotics fulfillment center – it sits at 855,000 square feet.  

Community leaders joined Governor #Jared Polis last week for the grand opening of the solar facility – there was excitement overseeing the more than 17,200 solar panels across 19 acres on a four-story building’s rooftop. This solar system has the ability to generate more than 6 megawatts of power. Electricity production is anticipated to begin in November.  

Amazon’s Solar Goals 

Amazon announced back in 2017 that it had a plan to install numerous rooftop solar systems over the course of the next three years, by 2020 – the plan was to install solar systems at 50 fulfillment centers in this time frame. Interestingly enough, this goal has already been achieved, as it was reached back in July, a year and a half early. The 50th project has now been finished, totaling capacity to the tune of 98 megawatts. The majority of the systems are in the United States (32); the European Union has 12 of them; and India is where 7 of the solar projects are located.  

Amazon general manager, #Joe Dudek, discussed the excitement from those at Amazon over being a part of the community of Thornton. The company takes pride in its fulfillment center. Dudek mentioned how the building has advanced management systems, remote #energy and power monitoring, and LED lighting.  

There are many employees helping to keep things up and running at Colorado’s biggest single rooftop solar array in Thornton. There are more than #1,500, to be more precise, working with Amazon robotics to assist with packing and shipping items. Some of these items include kitchenware and toys. Note: more than 3,500 people are employed by Amazon in the state of Colorado. 

As per Amazon, the massive solar panel installation covers the size of roughly 10 football fields or 19 acres. The expectation is that enough electricity will be produced each year to power more than 880 homes. The numbers are quite impressive.  

#Greg Michaelson, Amazon Renewable Energy Director, mentioned how they were able to get in to fill the whole roof with as much solar as possible. Even more remarkable is that Amazon is trying to add clean, renewable energy to all buildings.  

Since 2017, Amazon claims to have invested more than $1.5 billion in Colorado through its customer fulfillment substructure and compensation to its employees.  

Solar Accomplishments  

Many don’t know this, but Amazon was ranked 1 in America last year by the Solar Energy Industries Association (#SEIA) for corporate on-site solar installation. What does this mean? Basically, the company’s solar installations in the United States alone work to offset equal to the amount of CO2 released by 200 million miles of deliveries by truck. Clearly, this is a company with a commitment to clean energy and moving up in the world of solar. More information on Amazon’s pledge to sustainability and how the company is focused on reusing, recycling, and cleaning up our planet can be found by clicking here.  

It is always good to discover major corporations making moves when it comes to cleaning up our planet. Amazon has certainly demonstrated a commitment to going solar. The biggest single rooftop solar array having been installed in Thornton, Colorado is one huge, positive move in the right direction. Just imagine if all of America’s biggest companies were to use their innovative ideas and talented team members to make such a positive difference. But let’s not only focus on huge companies – there are many things that individuals can do to make a difference, too. Think about solar moves you can make – and if you don’t have the option to install solar panels at your business or home, consider the impact you could have by simply making more of an effort to reuse and recycle products. Continue to follow solar news to stay on top of what is happening across the globe!  

Sources: 

https://www.denverpost.com/2019/09/01/colorado-amazon-thornton-solar-roof/ 

https://denver.cbslocal.com/2019/08/30/amazon-thornton-colorado-leaders-tour/ 

https://www.aboutamazon.com/sustainability 

Tesla Being Sued by Walmart for Combusting Solar Panels

The last several years have been rough for #Tesla, Inc. Between the disappointing 2017 launch of the Tesla #solar-powered Model 3 vehicle and the financial losses the company suffered after purchasing SolarCity back in 2016, Elon Musk and his fellow Tesla employees have had to work extra hard this year to make up for Tesla’s repeated disappointments. In an effort to revive the company, Tesla began offering solar panel rentals earlier this summer and vowed to make 2019 the year they focus on rooftop solar panel production. However, solar panel rental options and increased mass production should probably be on the bottom of Tesla’s to-do list — especially in light of their most recent controversy. 

#Walmart Fires Erupt Nationwide as a Result of Faulty #Solar Panels 

According to New York Supreme Court records, on May 7th of 2018, a fire broke out at a Walmart department store in Beavercreek, Ohio. Just two weeks later on May 21st in Denton, Maryland, a second fire raised havoc on another Walmart store, causing significant damage to the store’s roof. Just eight days after this second incident on May 29th, a third fire erupted at yet another Walmart store in Indio, California. All of these Walmart locations suffered significant financial losses as a result of these fires. Miraculously, no one was injured, save for a firefighter in Indio that was treated for smoke inhalation.  

How is it possible that numerous fires broke out at different Walmart department stores all within the time frame? The answer lies in Tesla’s solar panels. All of the Walmart stores that burst into flames had Tesla solar panels installed on their roofs. It was determined that the fires originated from the solar panels themselves, resulting in a multi-million-dollar lawsuit brought on by Walmart against Tesla.  

Following the initial three fires that occurred in May of 2018, Tesla did attempt to de-energize the solar panels at other Walmart locations to help prevent fires from happening again. Unfortunately, these efforts were to no avail. Four more fires broke out, resulting in 7 total Walmart fires that could be directly connected to Tesla’s rooftop solar panels. 

According to the official court record, Walmart is making the argument that the solar panel combustions are, “a breach of contract action arising from years of gross negligence and failure to live up to industry standards by Tesla with respect to solar panels that Tesla designed.” 

Amazon Also Calling Out Tesla

Unfortunately, Walmart was not the only entity to experience solar panel combustions. in June 2018, Amazon’s Redlands, California location had a rooftop solar system put in place that Tesla designed and installed. Shortly after the new solar panels were affixed, Amazon’s Redlands location experienced a fire. It was determined that this fire also originated from the Tesla solar panels, just like those seen at the seven Walmart locations. Amazon released a statement saying that they have taken steps to protect their facilities and will no longer be working with Tesla to install rooftop solar panels. 

Tesla: The Jack of All Trades, King of None 

Tesla has had their hand in solar #energy production, vehicle manufacturing, and most recently, experimental rocket ships for space travel. Earlier this month, the highly anticipated launch of the Tesla SpaceX Starhopper was set to depart. However, less than one second before takeoff, the mission was aborted due to faulty wiring issues. The Starhopper was successful on its second attempt on August 28. 

Is it really necessary for Tesla to have its hand in solar panel production, solar-powered vehicles, and space travel? By spreading themselves so thin in an effort to be number one, Tesla is now suffering the consequences of taking on too much all at once. 

It would behoove Tesla to pick one or two main focuses, rather than continue to scramble in multiple arenas. Solar energy must be taken seriously. Solar energy production is not a simple, side project endeavor. If Tesla is going to take on solar energy production, they will need to reevaluate if their company has the means and manpower necessary to provide safe solar panels en masse.  

 The full court report of Walmart Inc. V. Tesla Energy Operations, Inc. is available online to view here: https://www.scribd.com/document/422555099/654765-2019-Walmart-Inc-v-Tesla-Energy-Operations-Inc-Summons-Complaint-1 

Resources: 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-08-23/amazon-joins-walmart-in-saying-tesla-solar-panels-caught-fire?srnd=markets-vp 

https://interestingengineering.com/tesla-solar-panels-have-caught-fire-at-an-amazon-warehouse-and-at-walmart-stores 

Climate Change and its Impact on the Italian Alps

There is no room to deny #climate change at this point in time. While thoughts of water becoming too warm, temperatures increasing, and glaciers melting are discussed on a regular basis, many tend to disregard how certain areas and ways of life are impacted. The fact of the matter is that climate change is having an impact on people’s lives. In the #Italian Alps, climate change is certainly affecting day to day life. Here’s how… 

#James Whitlow Delano is a photographer with a focus on environmental concerns. He grew up living in California beside a nuclear research lab. He has worked all across the globe and currently resides in Japan. One of the subjects he works on is climate change. Delano takes his work very seriously – in point of fact, he is the founder of the Everyday Climate Change Instagram feed. This feed showcases the efforts of photojournalists who document climate change across the globe.  

Where do the Italian Alps come in? Delano, in some of his more recent work, visited valleys of the Italian Alps as well as the Valle d’Aosta mountains to get a look firsthand at climate change and its impact in the area. What he found in relation to climate change was quite alarming – for the past 30 years, one particular area has been watching its glaciers essentially melt away at a shocking rate. While Delano’s photos are beautiful and showcase the exquisiteness of the Valle d’Aosta, the fact is that climate change is having a huge impact there.  

How Climate Change Impacts Valle D’Aosta 

Climate change in this area equates to a snow season which is shorter. To give an idea, between 1960 and 2017, the Alpine snow season decreased by an average of 38 days – it closed 26 days earlier and started just under two weeks later – or 12 days, to be more precise. From 2015 to 2016, the warmest winter season on record occurred – only 20 percent of the standard snowfall was received in the French Alps. And this year, practically no snow fell in February.  

As things continue to warm up, precipitation will show up in the form of rain. Winter snowpack and glacial ice store water and release it slowly, allowing rivers to be fed that have been relied on in warmer months by European nations practically since the beginning of time. As glaciers recede, less water is stored up to feed rivers, specifically when droughts occur in the summer. The impact of climate change is very real – rainwater drains faster, and it is not stored in the glaciers of the Alps. It impacts livestock pastoralists and farmers, too, because climate change leaves them with less of a chance to fatten up cows for milk and cheese production due to a decreased amount of grass to feed on in high meadows.  

Climate Change Influences Day to Day Life 

Globally, people need to be concerned with what is happening with climate change in Valle d’Aosta. Climate change impacts day to day life in the sense that the ski season is shorter (thanks to global warming) as previously mentioned, and this is a big deal. There is more of a dependence on man-made snow which can be very expensive in keeping up with the regional industry. Climate change causing a shorter snow season also has an effect on hotels, restaurants, bars, ski schools and so on. Plus, who wants to play in fake snow?  

It is not just the snow season that feels the effects of climate change. In hotter, drier summer months, there is less green pasture and with the millions dependent on the Rhone, Rhine and Po rivers, there is a great deal of fear regarding fewer glaciers. 

Clearly, climate change is changing the way people live, and the Italian Alps offers merely one example of how this is happening. It is important that we pay attention because small changes will eventually turn into huge ones. We have to do what we can to minimize the impact.

Sources: 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/photography/2019/08/23/how-climate-change-is-affecting-quality-life-italian-alps/?noredirect=on 

https://time.com/italy-alps-climate-change/ 

Glacier Melting as a Result of Climate Change is Worse than We Think

#Climate change has undoubtedly impacted the #glacier #ice caps in #Antarctica. As global temperatures on our planet continue to rise, the ice caps melt and collapse into the sea. This melting ultimately results in rising global sea levels that are threatening coastal cities worldwide. Excessive water rise could make it so that cities resting at sea level may become submerged as a new coastal water surface level is established. 

Shifting Wind Patterns – The Missing Link 

Although increased temperatures have played a part, heat alone has not always explained the phenomenon of accelerated ice cap melting as it relates to climate change. There has been more that researchers have needed to discover in order to come up with a complete explanation. Climate change researchers realized early on that West Antarctica’s glaciers were surrounded by air temperatures that were far too cold to be the only culprit. They turned their attention to the ocean water itself to find the answers. 

How Changing Wind Patterns Effect Ice Cap Melting 

According to a new study published in Nature Geoscience, scientists have discovered that climate change has caused a shift in wind patterns that are contributing to the acceleration of the melting glaciers. Their research shows that this shift in wind patterns due to climate change is bringing warm ocean water in direct contact with Antarctica’s glacier ice, ultimately accelerating its demise. However, this warm ocean water is coming from older water deep within the ocean that has not been affected by #global warming. Shifting wind patterns are having such a great impact, it is the deeper layers of warm ocean water that are changing patterns. 

According to Paul Holland, a scientist at the British Antarctic Survey for ice-ocean research and co-author of the study, the older waters that are reaching the glaciers in Antarctica would not have been heated by global warming. To understand the connection between the warmer waters reaching Antarctic glaciers and wind patterns, Holland and his team looked at data reaching as far back as the 1920s – the decade when wind pattern and glacier ice pattern data was first tracked. 

By looking at nearly 100 years of data, Holland and his team determined that some major changes have taken place in terms of wind patterns and overall climate behavior in the Antarctic. Winds over the Amundsen Sea, a region located on the western side of the continent, would primarily blow westward just a century ago. This direction kept the warm water away from the glaciers. Data from 2019 shows that the winds are now blowing east which has caused deep, warmer ocean layers to move towards the Amundsen Sea and melt the ice. 

Holland likened the phenomenon to a hot water tap that turns on when the wind blows east and turns off when the wind blows west.  

Human-Caused Global Warming to Blame for Melting Ice Caps 

The warm ocean water reaching the glaciers in Antarctica is the result of global warming’s impact on land temperatures. Climate change is shifting how our earth responds to heat. With the surface of Earth warming unevenly, it has a direct effect on how Earth’s winds and oceans respond. Climate change is proving to have not just a direct effect on the observable environment around us, but a domino effect on a variety of interconnected environmental processes. 

Richard Alley, a geoscientist from Pennsylvania State University, was not involved in this particular study but has extensive experience researching Antarctica and global warming patterns. He mentioned that the results of the wind pattern study increase overall confidence in the climate change and scientific communities that the retreat of West Antarctic ice that is now contributing to sea-level rise was ultimately triggered by human-caused global warming. 

Holland explained that if greenhouse gas emissions are not controlled by 2100, we will have wind gusts that will reliably blow towards the east. There is hope that we can stabilize the current wind patterns by 2050, but it is unlikely that a reversal in this trend will be seen anytime soon. According to Holland, to stabilize wind patterns as they are now and put the brakes on the damage done to Antarctica’s ice caps, urgent and diligent effort on the part of mankind will be required. 

Resources: 

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-reason-antarctica-is-melting-shifting-winds-driven-by-global-warming/ 

Tesla to Offer Solar Panel Rentals

#Tesla has decided to do things a bit differently lately – the company is attempting to basically recover its plunging #solar division. How does the prominent corporation intend to do this? The answer might seem all too obvious – #solar panel rentals! 

Tesla recently decided to cut the cost of their solar panels. Why? It is a clear move in the corporation’s attempt to recover its solar panel business which has unfortunately weakened since acquiring #SolarCity. Where does this leave Tesla? Behind other residential solar companies, including Sunrun and Vivint Solar Inc. 

Solar Panels Without a Long-Term Contract 

Imagine being able to switch to solar panels without having to sign into a contract long-term. Many do not like the idea of longstanding contracts, period. For some, they realize they might change their mind down the road. Or they fear a change in the future could prevent them from being able to afford their bills. Tesla’s innovative idea will allow consumers to take advantage of solar panel packages without a long-term agreement. This concept is part of a relaunch that was recently announced by Elon Musk, Chief Executive. Is there a catch? Well, sort of. A customer could be billed $1,500 in the event that they want to opt out of the solar panel system and have said solar system removed. But is it still worth it?  

You might recall, if the rental idea sounds familiar, that SolarCity offered a leasing product purchased by Tesla in 2016 for $2.6 billion. The strategy was a good move in the sense that for SolarCity, it propelled growth, but on the other hand, the company had to borrow a great deal of money in order to support the concept.  

Telsa ultimately made outright sales a priority to increase profitability. It stopped marketing door to door and canceled a partnership with Home Depot Inc.  

Tesla’s Solar Relaunch 

The solar relaunch for Tesla is coming less than 30 days after the company reported a decline for the third consecutive quarter when it comes to solar installations. The smallest quarter so far was the second quarter in which just 29 megawatts was deployed. For comparison purposes, when SolarCity was at its height, it installed more than 200 megawatts over the course of just a three month period.  

As per senior solar analyst at Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables, #Michelle Davis, Tesla is attempting to rebound growth volumes and there is an obvious need for the company to demonstrate better financial management.  

Is the solar panel rental option a good one? Perhaps. Earlier this week, Tesla shares increased by more than 3 percent.  

What is included with the monthly payment plan for solar panels? It will cover the cost of solar installation, maintenance, and support. Avoiding upfront installation costs is certainly a perk. Six states in America, including New Jersey and Massachusetts, are offering the rental option for as little as $50 per month for small solar systems. California is offering the solar rental option as well, for $65 per month. Arizona, New Mexico, and Connecticut are on board and offering the solar rental plans also.  

Yes, overall it is financially a better move to buy, however, the rental option might be worth it for some. At the very least, if you are interested in solar installation, this might be something to consider. The rentals are cheaper and faster in terms of the onset.  

Do you have solar panels on your home? Do you notice signage for solar panel systems going up in your neighborhood, or have you seen them on some of the local, new construction homes? Clean #energy is certainly something we all need to focus on for the future, especially as changes with our planet are becoming more and more apparent. We need to do more, and solar is one route to take – with the option of renting, it could be that more people end up going solar. Time will tell! Keep following solar news to stay up to date with the most recent changes and advancements taking place.  

Sources: 

https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2019-08-19/tesla-no-contract-solar-panel-rentals-with-a-catch 

https://www.theverge.com/2019/8/19/20812060/tesla-solar-panel-rental-subscription-price-lease-elon-musk-cancellation-fee 

 

Solar Panels on Farmlands Help Increase Crop Yields

One of the most debated topics within the #solar #energy community revolves around where the best locations on earth are to place #solar panels. Researchers have constructed solar panels in parking lots, placed solar panels on roadways, and desert solar farms have even been tested and funded in certain parts of the world, including the Desert Sunlight Solar Farm in California.  

A recent study directly related to the best regions for solar panel function was released by the #Oregon State University College of #Agricultural Sciences earlier this month. Researchers in the study aimed to discover which climate, temperature, and weather conditions benefit solar panel production the most. 

 #Agrivoltaics: The Best of Both Worlds 

According to Elnaz Adeh and Chad Higgins, two of the primary researchers of the OSU solar panel study, the best places on Earth to place solar panels are on farmlands. Co-developing certain areas for both agricultural purposes and solar panel production is not a new concept. The term agrivoltaics has been around since the early 1980s and is a technique that uses one area of land for two purposes – one being agricultural and the other solar power.  

In addition to confirmation that farmlands are the best regions for solar panel efficiency, the study also found that if less 1% of agricultural land across the world were to share space with solar panels, this would be sufficient enough to meet global energy demands. 

Why Farmlands? 

Solar panel efficiency and overall energy output are greatly impacted by four environmental variables including wind speed, humidity, temperature, and overall sun exposure. These four factors were tested using the 35th Street Solar Array in Corvallis, Oregon, which has been located on the west side of the OSU campus since 2013.  

After analyzing data collected throughout the solar panel study, along with collaborative assistance from Tesla, OSU researchers stumbled upon the key to efficient solar panel production. According to Higgins, their research shows that solar panels have preferences that emulate those of humans – they function best in cool, breezy, and dry environments.  

Higgins stated in an interview with OSU that solar panel efficiency actually decreases when weather conditions are hot, humid, and lack airflow. Therefore, areas like western America, the Middle East, and southern Africa are slated to be the top regions for solar panel efficiency. The results of this study corroborate findings previously discovered in Agrivoltaic research. 

Agrivoltaics is a Win-Win 

Back in November of 2018, Adeh and Higgens tested crop yield output on fields that had solar panels placed on them. At the 35th Street Solar Array, microclimate research stations were utilized to record the air temperature, humidity, soil moisture, as well as wind speed and direction. 

After three months of testing, OSU researchers found that the areas shaded by solar panels grew double the amount of plant life compared to their uncovered counterparts. The nutritional value of the plant life also increased due to the optimal conditions of airflow, temperature, and overall climate.  

Higgins and his team theorize that certain plants thrive under the shady conditions provided by the solar panels because the plants are, in essence, less stressed. When plants are subjected to constant sun rays, their water intake will greatly increase. This can cause the plants to grow substantially until they die out. On the other hand, when certain plants are able to take advantage of the shade cover provided by the solar panels, they flourish. According to Higgins, the shaded plants need only sip water sparingly, rather than consume large amounts in desperation.  

Solar Power and Agriculture Working Together 

Researchers at OSU are now honing in on which plants will function best in an agrivoltaic set-up. So far, aloe vera, lettuce, tomatoes, biogas maize, and pasture grass have shown the most promise. Certain lettuce varieties, in particular, have been shown to produce greater yields in shade than in sunlight.  

With how promising these particular studies have been, we can hope to see more advocacy for agrivoltaics in the near future. Combining solar with agricultural production is the kind of forward-thinking focus our society needs to continue to create sustainable ways of living. Now that a mutual, symbiotic relationship between agricultural lands and solar panel placement has been established, we can expect to find solar panels popping up on farmlands soon. 

Read the original OSU study here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-47803-3 

Resources: 

https://kval.com/news/local/osu-study-solar-panels-on-1-of-farmland-could-meet-global-energy-demands 

https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/installing-solar-panels-agricultural-lands-maximizes-their-efficiency-new-study-shows