Balancing Food and Energy Security
Solar power has exhibited the classic, rapid development curve of increasing efficiency and decreasing costs over time. It now seems more profitable for many farmers to cover their fertile land with solar panels, not as attractive. However, there is the danger that we could be gaining in energy security but losing in food security. Solar energy collection sites should be sited more on roofs and using the newly developed special windows.
Biomass is making great advances and has considerable further potential. Biomass technologies are developing and reflect my email “Do not waste, WASTE.” There should be a time when any medium to large, livestock farms should approach self-sufficiency in energy, with solar panels on south facing farm buildings, a couple of windmills and their biomass energy. Throw in some geothermal on the farmer’s land and they may sell to the Grid more than buy.