I don’t want to be overly negative towards The Walt Disney Company or Disney Parks. That’s not my goal. I applaud their desire to reduce their carbon footprint and I think solar is a fantastic technology. If we can solve the rare-earth mineral mining issue and the amount of environmental damage that causes, I’m all for solar energy farms. One problem you find, however, is that solar energy farms require vast amounts of land to produce significant power. So whereas a nuclear power plant takes up maybe a hundred acres of land in total, a solar energy farm that produces equal wattage will take many, many thousands of acres.
But still, I’m not against that. I just think that if we’re going to try to help the environment with solar power, we should try to not simultaneously damage the environment in doing so. Whereas putting thousands and thousands of acres of solar in the Sahara is probably a really good idea, it might not be such a good idea to put thousands of acres of solar panels in Central Florida. Why? Well because when you put down thousands of acres of solar panels in Florida, that’s thousands of acres where trees can no longer grow. And trees are super important for capturing carbon dioxide to produce oxygen. Trees are an antidote to global warming, right?
That’s why when Disney announced today they are working on their thousand-acre expansion of solar panels in Central Florida (off-site from Disney World this time), I just had to let out a long sigh. I’ve tried to bring this up several times, but environmentalists just aren’t listening. So let me put it out there one more time and who knows… maybe Google will take this article trending and a million people will see it.
Disney, you’re doing it wrong.
If you want to produce a ton of solar energy, awesome. If you want to reach net-zero carbon emissions, fantastic. But stop taking thousands of acres of lush green wilderness from Florida. Think of the ecosystems that destroys! You’re cheaping out on this one and you know it. I have added up the amount of easy parking lot areas in Disney World that you could cover in solar panels… and it’s six-hundred acres. That’s just the easy areas. If you put up solar panels in parking lots, not only will you not have to prevent trees from growing on six-hundred acres of land, but you’ll also let your guests park underneath shade so that their cars don’t overheat. You can even set up your solar panels over the parking lots so that when it rains, the water is funneled into water management systems that are far superior to water running through a parking lot and mixing with all kinds of vehicle fluids. Other places have done this… why aren’t you?
So pardon me if the Disney announcements today didn’t hit home the way they might or others. I want to be fully on board with their solar attempts… it’s just that I know they could do much better.
Here’s the announcements:
Just in time to celebrate Earth Month & the launch of #DisneyPlanetPossible, construction is ready to begin on 2 new solar arrays that will more than double the solar energy available to Walt Disney World, reduce its carbon footprint and power more magic: https://t.co/GCelFJq3Dy pic.twitter.com/N8H3zo6dzv
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) April 4, 2022
From the Disney Parks blog:
Picture what’s possible when 40 percent of the energy supplied to The Most Magical Place on Earth is generated by the sun.
Building on today’s exciting launch of Disney Planet Possible and just in time to celebrate Earth Month, Walt Disney World Resort’s available solar energy resources will more than double with two new solar arrays constructed by two prominent Solar Development companies. As the most recent examples of Disney’s commitment to taking action to change our planet’s story, these new arrays will reduce our carbon footprint and help power even more magic in our theme parks, resorts and beyond!
The two new 75 MW (megawatt) arrays will be located in Gilchrist County and Polk County on over 1,000 total acres, enabling us to harness the sun’s power without depending on sunny skies in solely one area. With this expansion, Disney will become one of the largest commercial consumers of solar in the state. More importantly, it will join the numerous steps we are taking to deliver on our 2030 goal of achieving net-zero emissions.
Both arrays are expected to be online by early 2023. Continuing our longstanding history of protecting the planet, combined they will introduce nearly a half million solar panels capable of producing over 375,000 MWh (megawatt hours) of carbon-free solar energy in their first full year of operation. This is the equivalent of removing 29,500 automobiles from the roads every year!
I look forward to sharing more information with you about our newest solar energy initiatives as we picture what’s possible when we continue our work together toward building a brighter, more sustainable future so that people, plants and animals all have a thriving place to call home. Be sure to keep reading the Disney Parks Blog, visit Disney Planet Possible, and follow our Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment Facebook page for additional updates!
It’s not too late though. Disney World is only about 40% powered by solar even with these new massive farms. Disney, if you’re going to move the resort to 100% solar, let’s cover the parking lots. The trees, the iguanas, the birds… they will all be appreciative. And so will all the rest of us who enjoy the wonderful clean air that trees help us maintain.
For all the latest news that is both fun and environmentally smart, keep checking out That Park Place! Feel free to drop a comment below!
