Drought conditions are pushing farmers to install solar panels in their fields, according to NPR.
Despite big investments in irrigation, farmers in Northern California have had to leave some fields fallow as limited water supplies have prevented them from being planted. This has left a major opportunity for developer Golden State Clean Energy to build a solar power plant on the land.
"We need to do this," said farmer Ross Franson, per NPR. "If we had the water to do it, we would farm it. But the reality is, you don't. You have to deal with the cards you're dealt."
Golden State's plan would encompass 200 square miles, and once the panels were up, they would generate 21,000 megawatts of electricity. Planning for construction has gone on for years, including environmental assessments, but approvals have been going forward. At a large enough scale and with sufficient supporting infrastructure, this project could power upward of 9 million homes.
Drought conditions are a direct result of atmospheric pollution. One of the primary drivers of that pollution is the use of coal and gas on the electrical grid. Their harmful carbon pollution trap heat and exacerbate destructive weather patterns like droughts, storms, and wildfires. These conditions challenge agriculture at every turn and are a primary cause of increasing grocery prices.
Smart upgrades that slash monthly energy bills
Besides cutting pollution, switching to solar can save you money on monthly utility bills. Here are some first steps for upgrading your home.
• EnergySage can help you save up to $10,000 on installations by curating competitive bids from local installers
• Not ready to spend up front? Palmetto's $0-down LightReach solar leasing program can lower your utility rate by up to 20%
• TCD's Solar Explorer makes it easy to access exclusive offers from preferred partners
When combined with energy-efficient appliances like heat pumps, homeowners can save even more on monthly utility costs. Mitsubishi can help you find efficient heating and cooling solutions for your home and connect you with trusted installers. Alternatively, the Palmetto Home app can unlock up to $5,000 in home upgrade rewards by taking simple energy-efficiency actions.
Californian farmers remained optimistic about keeping their land productive with the help of solar power.
"We look at it as a new crop. We're harvesting electricity," said farmer Jeremy Hughes, per NPR.
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