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Optimizing on utility-scale solar for conservation of pristine landscapes and ecosystems: the case of Rodrigues Island

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Abstract

Countries worldwide have pledged to phase out coal by 2030, giving rise to a fundamental reshuffling of the dynamics of energy demand and supply. Implementation of clean technologies to aid this transition necessitates space, whilst small islands face increasing land degradation issues. Furthermore, they are blessed with pristine remote environments that deserve enhanced protection in the face of the changing climate. In the current study, climatological, economic, legal, geotechnical, and environmental criteria are used to determine the most appropriate locations in Rodrigues for the constructions of utility-scale solar power plants to conserve native vegetation and protect vulnerable island ecosystems. Highly suitable sites identified include the regions of Terre Rouge and Pointe Coton. Both regions witness high levels of insolation (5.6 kWh/m2 day), are located near grid transmission and road networks, and have adequate terrain specifications with low slope angles which conveniently face the geographic North for maximizing solar energy yield. With an estimated annual electric generation power potential of 228.9 kWh/m2, the regions of Terre Rouge and Pointe Coton favour the construction of solar power plants. The methodological approach presented in this paper is expected to be valuable for other small islands in their commitments to optimize on solar technologies whilst protecting native fauna and flora.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are not publicly available due to costly data involved and that needs to be regularly maintained but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the support provided by the Université des Mascareignes and the University of Mauritius in the provision of facilities and data for conducting the research presented in this paper. The authors are thankful for the contributions of the Ministry of Housing and Lands (Cartographic Section), SolarGIS, and OpenStreetMap for the provision of data. Google Earth images (© 2021 Maxar Technologies) were sourced and analyzed from Google Earth Pro. The author acknowledges the use of ArcMap 10.3 for the purpose of research.

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The authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support were received during the preparation of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Sustainable Development and Engineering, Université des Mascareignes, Rose Hill, Mauritius

    Jay Rovisham Singh Doorga, Tyagaraja S. M. Cunden & Dhirajsing Rughoo

  2. Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Mauritius, Reduit, Mauritius

    Soonil D. D. V. Rughooputh

  3. School of Engineering, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland

    Kamlesh Dookayka

Authors
  1. Jay Rovisham Singh Doorga
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  2. Tyagaraja S. M. Cunden
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  3. Soonil D. D. V. Rughooputh
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  4. Dhirajsing Rughoo
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  5. Kamlesh Dookayka
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Contributions

JRSD (Corresponding Author): Involved in the conception and design of the study, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation of data, and drafting of the manuscript. TSMC: Revised the paper for important intellectual content. SDDVR: Revised the paper for important intellectual content. DR: Revised the paper for important intellectual content. KD: Revised the paper for important intellectual content.

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Correspondence to Jay Rovisham Singh Doorga.

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The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Ethical statement

On behalf of all authors, I, Dr Jay Doorga, the corresponding author of this paper wish to assure you that for the manuscript (Optimizing on utility-scale solar for conservation of pristine landscapes and ecosystems: The Case of Rodrigues Island) the following is fulfilled: (1) This material is the authors’ own original work, which has not been previously published elsewhere. (2) The paper is not currently being considered for publication elsewhere. (3) The paper reflects the authors’ own research and analysis in a truthful and complete manner. (4) The paper properly credits the meaningful contributions of co-authors and co-researchers. (5) The results are appropriately placed in the context of prior and existing research. (6) All sources used are properly disclosed (correct citation). Literally copying of text must be indicated as such by using quotation marks and giving proper reference. (7) All authors have been personally and actively involved in substantial work leading to the paper and will take public responsibility for its content. The violation of the Ethical Statement rules may result in severe consequences. We agree with the above statements and declare that this submission follows the policies of Journal of Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy as outlined in the Guide for Authors and in the Ethical Statement.

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Doorga, J.R.S., Cunden, T.S.M., Rughooputh, S.D.D.V. et al. Optimizing on utility-scale solar for conservation of pristine landscapes and ecosystems: the case of Rodrigues Island. Clean Techn Environ Policy 24, 3331–3343 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-022-02382-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-022-02382-2

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