Knowledge Tree
Relations (1)
related 2.32 — strongly supporting 4 facts
Solar energy expansion is directly linked to land-use change through the conversion of land for infrastructure, which results in vegetation loss and soil carbon release as described in [1] and [2]. Furthermore, studies compare the land-use change emissions of solar energy against other energy sources like bioenergy to assess their overall environmental impact, as noted in [3] and [4].
Facts (4)
Sources
The potential land requirements and related land use change ... nature.com 4 facts
accountThe authors of the study integrated solar energy land requirements into an Integrated Assessment Model (IAM) to estimate the land cover impacts and related land use change (LUC) emissions of solar energy within climate change mitigation scenarios up to 2050.
claimThe study assumes that solar energy in urban areas, deserts, and dry scrublands, as well as bioenergy derived from waste or agricultural and forestry residue, do not contribute to land use change (LUC) emissions or carbon sequestration.
claimThe higher land requirements for bioenergy more than offset the lower land use change (LUC) emissions per square meter found in most cases when compared to solar energy.
claimSolar energy expansion leads to Land Use Change (LUC) emissions through indirect land competition, vegetation loss from deforestation or avoided afforestation, and carbon release from soil and vegetation directly beneath solar panels.