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Environmental Issues Stall Solar Farms in Central Taiwan
TaiwanPlus News
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10/17/2024
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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00:00
It may seem like an unlikely place for a power station,
00:02
but solar panels like these have been sprouting up
00:04
across fish and clam farms in Taiwan's south and center.
00:09
Here in Zhanghua County's Fangyuan Township,
00:11
clam farmers on hard times are eager to sign up.
00:14
Climate change, disease and shrinking groundwater supplies
00:17
have seen production drop.
00:19
These farmers are aiming to turn over
00:20
as much as 40% of their land to solar panels,
00:23
with the hope that the rent money the power company provides
00:26
will help their businesses survive.
00:31
But the county government has reservations.
00:34
Though the Energy Administration in Taipei
00:36
gave permission for a trial covering 20% of the land
00:39
and two panel makers got on board,
00:41
local regulators have blocked the project since 2022.
00:45
Because while the project may look green,
00:47
there are questions about whether it could
00:49
actually harm the environment.
00:51
Some environmentalists worry that it could affect
00:53
the bird habitats provided by the open land.
00:57
Local officials say for the project to go ahead,
00:59
clam farmers will need to further explain
01:01
how they'll deal with the question of potential toxins
01:03
from the panels getting into the water.
01:06
We should consider first
01:08
what the impact will be
01:10
on the original habitat
01:12
and the surrounding environment.
01:14
What impact will it have on the ecosystem?
01:16
Is there a solution?
01:17
Local officials say for the project to go ahead,
01:19
clam farmers will need to further explain
01:21
how they'll deal with the question of potential toxins
01:23
from the panels getting into the water.
01:36
It's issues like this Taiwan faces
01:38
as it tries to wean itself off
01:40
both nuclear power and fossil fuels,
01:42
one of the government's big missions
01:44
for the coming years.
01:46
Hank Hsu and John Ventriest for Taiwan Plus.
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