Can Wind and Solar Farms Green a Desert?

Abstract

A recent paper in Science reports model results to indicate that large wind and solar farms over the Sahara can
decrease albedo and increase surface roughness and thereby increase precipitation and vegetation over the
Sahara and neighbouring Sahel significantly by a positive feedback process. The present article examines this
result and raises some unanswered questions which need to be looked into before the result is considered
robust. If a similar result can occur in Rajasthan it will be useful, but modelling and field experiment specific to
Rajasthan will be necessary.