New technologies, like Artificial Intelligence (AI), worry many people. Some fear AI may lead, at best, to substantial job losses or, at worst, to the end of
PATTY HAMMOND
Many believe solar power is better than using fossil fuels for energy. They argue solar technology has the potential to help the environment and make communities more energy independent. Federal and state incentives have also made renewable energy very attractive to developers.
As with any relatively new technology, solar energy is not all sunshine and rainbows. There are downsides and potential pitfalls to consider. It is only by addressing all the issues up front, and by planning carefully, that communities will benefit and avoid problems.
One of the first things people mention when considering solar energy in our area is the sun. There are significant seasonal variations in daylight hours in our region and, thanks to cloud cover from the Great Lakes, the sun doesn’t always shine brightly here. There’s no doubt that a solar panel in a cloudless Nevada desert will generate much more electricity than a panel in Western New York based simply on how often solar ene