Some objections to large solar arrays, especially those on agricultural land (eg Northam) are that the land will be 'destroyed' for agricultural use by the time the panels are removed in 25 years or so.
I came across this article which seems to prove the exact opposite. In fact it seems that in certain cases, the land can be used for some agricultural uses whilst also hosting the panels and at the same time largely offsetting the costs associated with vegetation management around the panels.
A recent trial run of 700 sheep grazed the enclosed pasture down to manageable levels, which had grown riot before Christmas. Despite heat and dry and cracking soil through February there was enough soil moisture under the shade of those panels to produce grass.
“I can only see this as being a good thing,” Mr Nugent said. “The panels will protect lambing ewes from eagles and ravens, the six-foot high exclusion fence (with a tail along the ground) will keep foxes, pigs and rabbits out. I reckon there will be more lambs. I can’t see a reduction in DSE at this stage.”
