Solar ... In the news

QrizB

An agrivoltaics story for your reading pleasure:

https://theconversation.com/the-gift-that-keeps-on-giving-how-solar-panels-on-farms-can-help-increase-crop-yields-269264

QrizB

A US non-profit / NGO has published a white paper on plug-in solar, drawing on European experience:

https://www.cesa.org/resource-library/resource/plug-in-solar/

Might be of interest although I suspect I'm preaching to the choir over here on G&E!

michaels

QrizB said:

A US non-profit / NGO has published a white paper on plug-in solar, drawing on European experience:

https://www.cesa.org/resource-library/resource/plug-in-solar/

Might be of interest although I suspect I'm preaching to the choir over here on G&E!

Given permitting/dno issues in the US seem to make a PV install there cost 2-3x what it does elsewhere in the world, seems pretty unlikely they will allow this tech any time ever let alone soon.

QrizB

michaels said:

QrizB said:

A US non-profit / NGO has published a white paper on plug-in solar, drawing on European experience:

https://www.cesa.org/resource-library/resource/plug-in-solar/

Might be of interest although I suspect I'm preaching to the choir over here on G&E!

Given permitting/dno issues in the US seem to make a PV install there cost 2-3x what it does elsewhere in the world ...

Yes, the paper suggests $1.75/watt vs. €0.55/watt in Europe. That's almost 3x as expensive.

michaels said:

... seems pretty unlikely they will allow this tech any time ever let alone soon.

Apparently it's already authorsed in Utah, so just 49 more states to go

Exiled_Tyke

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jan/14/solar-grazing-triple-win-sheep-farmers-renewables-energy-companies.      Confirms what many of us thought we already know about PV and agriculture.  It does feel to me that some opposing views sought, in the need for balance, perhaps? But (and ok I'm biased) the opposing arguments appear pretty spurious to me and raise issues which can easily be managed. 

QrizB

Not a huge article but a bit of an insight into Ukraine's solar PV situation:

https://euromaidanpress.com/2026/01/29/ukraine-solar-panel-permit-removed/

Ukrainians no longer neer building permits for rooftop or fascia solar, which will be helpful.

Utility-scale solar however seems to face structural problems with bureaucracy and corruption.