• eicker@lemmy.worldOP
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    6 hours ago

    So Alberta can look at a solar farm that generates clean power, supports pollinators, and keeps land productive, then decide the real threat is that someone might have to see it? This isn’t environmental protection. It’s bureaucratic sabotage dressed up as concern for the countryside.

    • MonkderVierte@lemmy.zip
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      1 hour ago

      Field solar is mostly to improve micro-climate in hot summers. Plants close their pores if temperature is too hot, air too dry. They stop growing then and focus on survival, which can also negatively affect the produce otherwise. For example, european vegetables + fruits have short shelf life this year, aside from less of it. Solar panels hold back humidity and give some shade, while also cooling a bit.

        • BozeKnoflook@lemmy.world
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          3 hours ago

          There’s plenty of crops that actually grow just fine in or even prefer shade, especially those grown for their leaves (arugula, spinach, mustard, lettuce, kale, bok choy…) Rhubarb, currants, gooseberries, pawpaw all are found naturally in shaded areas (under trees for example) or on the edge of tree lines.

          Strawberry farmers in particular should all be looking into installing solar panels over their crops.