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How is this a solar problem? The article clearly states there’s diesel pumps as well that do the same thing.
Technologies have side effects - some good, some bad. This effect of solar i admit i had not thought about.
How is this a solar problem? The article clearly states there’s diesel pumps as well that do the same thing.
How is this a solar problem? The article clearly states there’s diesel pumps as well that do the same thing.
Diesel has a consumable that must be purchased when the pump is run. With solar, there's presumably less difference between "run the pump 24/7" and "only run the pump when cost efficient." It's essentially the same argument in favor of solar power generation. Fossil fuel generation = plant-capital-cost + fuel-per-generated-unit. Solar generation = plant-capital-cost + negligible-wear-per-generated-unit.
So it's much more effective than solar is on the normal grid.
How is this a solar problem? The article clearly states there’s diesel pumps as well that do the same thing.
It is a Tragedy Of The Commons problem.
Solar just happens to be an enabling technology. Other technologies that brought cheap power to those areas would have done the same thing, e.g., wind or very cheap diesel (biodiesel?) would have the exact same effect if they happened to arrive first. Putting Solar in the headline and as the culprit is a truly cheap shot.
The real problem is that now that power is cheap, it is to everyone's individual advantage TODAY to pump more, but everyone's disadvantage tomorrow when the groundwater reserves run dry. Classic Commons problem, and it's screaming to the inevitable result. The only solution is some way to monitor and regulate the draw from the groundwater.
How is this a solar problem? The article clearly states there’s diesel pumps as well that do the same thing.
Diesel has a consumable that must be purchased when the pump is run. With solar, there's presumably less difference between "run the pump 24/7" and "only run the pump when cost efficient." It's essentially the same argument in favor of solar power generation. Fossil fuel generation = plant-capital-cost + fuel-per-generated-unit. Solar generation = plant-capital-cost + negligible-wear-per-generated-unit.
I’m very naive in this space. What percent of water extracted makes its way back into the water table and how long does it take? I assume you lose some to the plant that is harvested and some to evaporation. But how much makes it back?
How is this a solar problem? The article clearly states there’s diesel pumps as well that do the same thing.
None of this should be seen as a condemnation of solar power, says Balasubramanya. “The fundamental problem is not the solar technology itself.” Whatever the technology, “if the cost of pumping is zero, then people will pump unless some restriction is put on them.”
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The article also discusses that the panels are much cheaper to run than diesel and are subsidized by agencies and governments while the diesel pumps are not. So, yes, it’s not specifically about solar but about the economics of solar.
I’m very naive in this space. What percent of water extracted makes its way back into the water table and how long does it take? I assume you lose some to the plant that is harvested and some to evaporation. But how much makes it back?
I’m very naive in this space. What percent of water extracted makes its way back into the water table and how long does it take? I assume you lose some to the plant that is harvested and some to evaporation. But how much makes it back?