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.