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Solar & Wind Farms

Solar

Solar power is the conversion of sunlight to electricity. There are number of methods of producing solar energy, such as photovoltaic cells, solar hot water, and passive solar which are often used on residential and commercial structures. But in order to produce large quantities of electricity, concentrated solar power (CSP) systems are constructed on large tracts of land in optimal areas of above average sunlight. CSP technologies use mirrors to reflect and concentrate sunlight onto receivers that collect the solar energy and convert it to heat. This thermal energy can then be used to produce electricity via a steam turbine or heat engine driving a generator. which uses solar energy to boil water, which produces steam to spin a turbine and produce electricity.

A CSP plant operates most efficiently, and thus most cost‐effectively, when built in sizes of 100 MW and higher. While land needs will vary by system type, a typical plant, for example, requires approximately 5 to 10 acres of land per MW of capacity. The larger acreage is usually associated with thermal energy storage.

Of course, solar energy is crucial in mitigating green house gas emissions and decreasing human contributions to global climate change. However, for land conservation organizations, these facilities can pose problems. A project of this scale has clear impacts on the existing land use. The construction process would include ground clearing, increased traffic, noise, dust, and human activity, as well as adverse changes in the visual landscape. In particular, the scenic vistas would be disrupted, altering the experiences of individuals seeking solitude or recreational opportunities in a relatively pristine landscape. Ranchers or farmers could be affected by loss of available grazing or crop lands, potential for the introduction of invasive and noxious plants that could affect livestock forage availability, and possible increases in livestock/vehicle collisions. An expanded access road system could increase the numbers of off-highway vehicle users, hunters, and other recreationists in the surrounding area.

Solar farms that are proposed on federal lands or using federal monies are required to show the environmental, community and economic impacts of the project through the development of an Environmental Impact Statement, per the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

In California, at least nineteen solar energy projects have been proposed on approximately 500,00 acres in the “Catellus” lands in the Mojave Desert. This area is in the southeast corner of the state, between the Mojave National Preserve and Joshua Tree National Park. The Wildlands Conservancy of California orchestrated the government's purchase of the land between 1999-2004. It negotiated a discount sale from the real estate arm of the former Santa Fe and Southern Pacific Railroad and then contributed $40 million to help pay for the purchase. David Myers, the conservancy's executive director, said the solar projects would do great harm to the region's desert tortoise population. As with any land use application, environmental analysis is required to determine: (1) the degree of potential environmental impact; and (2) whether any mitigation measures can, and should be required of the projects. The California Energy Commission is looking for a compromise. The hope is that national monument boundaries can be drawn in the desert to protect fragile eco-systems and, yet, allow areas in which solar and wind projects can be constructed.

Wind

Compared to the environmental effects of traditional energy sources, the environmental effects of wind power are relatively minor. Energy derived from wind power consumes no fuel, and emits no air pollution, unlike fossil fuel power sources.

A wind farm may cover a large area of land, which could impact land use and viewsheds.

In addition, wind turbines can negatively impact bird migration and habitat, if placed carelessly, as well as harm birds and bats through collisions. Studies do suggest that birds can adjust and learn to avoid wind mills though obviously migration paths should always be avoided. It is difficult to determine actual numbers of avian deaths caused by wind mills.

Related Resources

U.S. Department of Interior/ Bureau of Land Management - Wind Siting

U.S. DOE Wind Energy Ordinances

Sierra Club Wind Siting Advisories

National Conference of State Legislatures. "Stating Siting of Wind Energy Facilities", (2006).

Sassoon, David. "Transmission Superhightway on Track to Carry Cheap, Dirty Coal Power to Northeast", Solve Climate, March 24, 2009 (online, http://solveclimate.org).

U.S. Department of State/ Bureau of International Information Programs. eJounral USA: Economic Perspectives - Clean Energy Solutions , July 2006.

U.S. Department of Energy. "20% Wind Energy by 2030: Increasing Wind Energy's Contribution to the U.S. Energy Supply". July 2008

American Wind Energy Association. "Green Power Superhighways: Building a Path to America's Clean Energy Future". White Paper.

Smart Solutions

Smart solutions for solar and wind projects lessen the environmental impact through proper siting and mitigation. Instead of siting on conserved lands, farmland or ranches, state or national parks and forests, projects can be sited on brownfields, reclaimed coal lands. etc.

The Environmental Protection Agency and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory have identified nearly 4,100 contaminated sites deemed economically suitable for wind and solar power development, as well as biomass. Similar maps are expected to be released this month for contaminated sites with geothermal-power potential. (Source: Scott Streater. "Green Shoots Rise from Brownfields" The Daily Climate, October 8, 2009.)