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World’s highways could host 52.3 billion solar panels, say researchers (www.pv-magazine.com)

submitted 2 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

This just in: deserts and parking lots exist and aren't swarmed by high speed traffic.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

The benefits of covering highways are more immediately visible (provide shade to cool drivers and reduce blinding by the sun).

I agree those other places have benefits.

Covering deserts will help cool them and reduce evaporation of moisture on the surface, possibly restoring the livability of a more diverse ecosystem. However, panels in the desert get dusty quickly, don't get cleaned by rain often, and would require water be brought in to clean them.

Covering parking lots would help cool cars, but I fear panels would be prime targets for vandalism.