Solar Farms greening the desert?

Mar 11, 2026 13:29:31

We have two solar farms within 50 miles of our house. I wonder if they are seeing changes similar to what is noted in this article.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/china-covered-a-massive-desert-with-solar-panels-for-clean-energy-but-the-land-began-to-evolve/ar-AA1XUQ9C?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=69b1b3977370454283b3ff8e906ee374&ei=54

Mar 11, 2026 13:46:11

From the article...

At first, the solar installation appeared to be simply occupying unused land. But researchers working in the region began noticing subtle differences in the ground beneath the arrays. Soil temperatures behaved differently from nearby desert areas, and moisture seemed to remain longer after the rare rainfall events that reached the plateau.

And a video from the same area showing how sheep have been integrated into the system, keeping the vegetation mowed.

I'm not dead! I feel happy! I'd like to go for a walk! I'll even read a tiny ad:

Our PIE page has been updated, anybody wanna test?

https://permies.com/t/369340/PIE-page-updated-wanna-test