A recent study by Michigan Technological University advocates replacing tobacco farms with solar farms. www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/mtu-fsn020518.php The study overlooks one small detail. It means all those farmers won't be farming any more. "In the long run, tobacco farmers stand to make more money farming solar rays for energy instead of growing a component of cigarettes."
Maybe. But why is it an either/or and why can't the farmers grow something else more profitable in lieu of tobacco? How will this effect already-hurting rural communities where these farms are located? Is it a waste to use valuable growing land for solar panels when those PV cells could care less about the soil quality beneath their steel feet and would be just as happy anywhere there's sunlight?
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K.C. Fox says 2018-02-07 17:46:11 (CST)
Yes i agree and I will bet you that AZ has more hours of sun lite than IA does every year why not put solar panels in the desert than in colder states??
6 years ago via Forums | Front Porch Forum
Dan in Illinois says 2018-02-08 08:23:26 (CST)
History tells us many generations lived with out electricity but none could live with out food. Go figure.
6 years ago via Forums | Front Porch Forum
BrianL says 2018-02-08 22:06:58 (CST)
KC- You bring up a good point and I can't help but wonder if it has something to do with being closer to where demand is greatest or perhaps even grid infrastructure. Obviously, PV cells don't work unless they're connected to something, and that "something" would be the established distribution grid.
6 years ago via Forums | Front Porch Forum
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