That’s not a typo, you read that correctly.
Trump may be planning on placing solar panels on the “beautiful” wall he plans to build on the border between the United States and Mexico.
What We Know:
Axios reported that during a meeting with Republican Congressional leaders, at the White House on Tuesday, June 7th, 2017, Trump spent some time talking up his latest idea for the border wall.
Reports state that 3 people with direct knowledge of the meeting, confirm that Trump floated the idea that the wall could be covered in solar panels.
Politico also confirmed the story; adding that it was unclear why Trump brought up the topic, but he presented the panels as a way to fund the wall, which is expected to cost billions of dollars.
What We Don’t Know:
We don’t know yet whether Republicans will push for a solar paneled wall–but you bet Trump used the words “beautiful structures,” to describe his vision for the wall.
What This Means:
We should remember that this is happening just days after Trump announced he will pull the United States from the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
Also, the idea of building a border wall has been Trump’s campaign pledge. An idea that has not hit the right cords with Democrats, while some Republicans question its necessity.
Maybe this is Trump’s way of persuading them to back the plan–as he struggles to secure the funding for the project.
What a genius that Donald Trump. Of course, to be fully effective, the solar panels would have to be installed on the south side of the wall, the Mexican side.
Wait.
What ? ? ?
LOL! Apparently, the wall will have 40-foot to 50-foot tall barriers, and the solar panels will be installed all over. I imagine the “cartels” will have a field day with the panels. Some of the feasibility cost estimates for this delusion is laughable.
Dear PVbuzz reader,
If this latest spin on President Trumps border solar wall idea goes through Congress, I suspect we will be replacing Solar Panels on the wall big time, as Mexican families take them to subsidize and improve their Mexican lifestyles. (remember the wall runs east/west, and the southern face of the wall will mostly be on the Mexican side of the wall.) I’ve donated money to have solar panels installed in remote villages in third world countries. As a follow up I’ve found they made a huge impact on the local village economy and lifestyle. (from electricity, to heating water, to running water pumps, to irrigation) They are a much sought after commodity in these places where electricity is scarce or very expensive to come by. Solar panels would be a BIG upgrade to many lifestyles in Mexico. President Trump just might of stumbled into a way to help a country’s economy all the while cutting aid to that country. I personally have helped build modest homes for Mexican families on Mission trips, that if they had solar panels on them would improve their lifestyle over their neighbors several degrees better. (pun intended)
I say let’s do it as a good will gesture to the Mexican economy, and help America go green on the border. Will it stop illegal immigration from Mexico, maybe over time if we can elevate their economy enough (with solar panels) they no longer will need to come to America.
My two cents, from a half cent solar guy,
Robert Grothe
@Robert Grothe: Fingers crossed this actually gets approved. The way Trumps gets away with anything these days, better hope the wall comes with solar panels because believe me, the wall is happening. I don’t know how solar panels on the wall will affect the local economy–unless the electricity produced is intended for local consumption (which I doubt). That said, I don’t see this helping the Mexican people or at least those living in the immediate vicinity of the wall.
14 SunPower SPR-X21-335-BLKs go to 48′ high and 61.3″ wide.
Border is 1500 miles, which is 95,008,071.31 inches. This means 1549887 systems with an inverter and 2 strings of 7 modules. Each such system with 90-deg tilt facing 180-deg azimuth produces 4825 kWh per year according to CECPV5.0 calculator with a 4.24 kW rating.
OK solar system contractors, tell us what the going rate would be on this 6.5 gigawatt plant.
Very good idea Mr President, a wall of solar panels, the Mexican will use it for target practice, and when they are board from practicing, they will cone for visit any way.
All this means is that his xenophobia outweighs his capacity for climate change denial.