Environmental Issues Stall Solar Farms in Central Taiwan

TaiwanPlus News

A plan to partially convert clam farms into solar power farms in central and southern Taiwan has hit a roadblock due to environmental concerns. Some are worried that the solar panels might release toxins into the water

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00:00It may seem like an unlikely place for a power station,

00:02but solar panels like these have been sprouting up

00:04across fish and clam farms in Taiwan's south and center.

00:09Here in Zhanghua County's Fangyuan Township,

00:11clam farmers on hard times are eager to sign up.

00:14Climate change, disease and shrinking groundwater supplies

00:17have seen production drop.

00:19These farmers are aiming to turn over

00:20as much as 40% of their land to solar panels,

00:23with the hope that the rent money the power company provides

00:26will help their businesses survive.

00:31But the county government has reservations.

00:34Though the Energy Administration in Taipei

00:36gave permission for a trial covering 20% of the land

00:39and two panel makers got on board,

00:41local regulators have blocked the project since 2022.

00:45Because while the project may look green,

00:47there are questions about whether it could

00:49actually harm the environment.

00:51Some environmentalists worry that it could affect

00:53the bird habitats provided by the open land.

00:57Local officials say for the project to go ahead,

00:59clam farmers will need to further explain

01:01how they'll deal with the question of potential toxins

01:03from the panels getting into the water.

01:06We should consider first

01:08what the impact will be

01:10on the original habitat

01:12and the surrounding environment.

01:14What impact will it have on the ecosystem?

01:16Is there a solution?

01:17Local officials say for the project to go ahead,

01:19clam farmers will need to further explain

01:21how they'll deal with the question of potential toxins

01:23from the panels getting into the water.

01:36It's issues like this Taiwan faces

01:38as it tries to wean itself off

01:40both nuclear power and fossil fuels,

01:42one of the government's big missions

01:44for the coming years.

01:46Hank Hsu and John Ventriest for Taiwan Plus.

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