The use of “distributed” solar – panels installed on walls and rooftops – has become increasingly popular in regions where land is at a premium. Taiwan provides generous subsidies for rooftop panels, and the government is also obliged to buy the surplus electricity they produce. Agricultural land accounts for about a fifth of the densely populated island’s total area, and there is little room for sprawling wind and solar farms, which take up significantly more space than conventional energy sources.
Land shortages are one of the biggest obstacles to renewable energy development, which is estimated to require around 10 times more land per unit of power than conventional power sources. As they try to decarbonize their energy systems, governments across the world have been trying to figure out how to minimize disruptions, avoid conflicts with farmers and prevent further agricultural and biodiversity losses.