Late this summer, California regulators approved a license for the nation’s first large-scale solar thermal power plant in two decades. (Source)
While solar power makes sense for some obvious reasons, what are the implications from what we do not see on the surface of this technology? Since solar plants rely a large water supply, how will it affect our water sources in the years to come? Robert Glennon, a law professor at the University of Arizona who has written two books on water use says it well, “This technology uses gobs of water.” He adds, “We are not paying enough attention to energy and its water needs, and solar energy needs a lot of water.” (Source)
So, will water recycling become a part of everyday life in US living, as areas such as the Netherlands have embraced such energy efficient practices?
Are there easier ways to reduce energy usage and cost while avoiding a vicious circle of destruction on our planet? Perhaps an easier way already exists and we can forget about reinventing the wheel. Maybe it is as simple as all warehouses in the US receiving a lighting retrofit.
