A growing source of renewable energy, solar power is a vital part of our sustainable future. But in many regions, solar infrastructure comes with its own carbon footprint. Vast arrays of solar panels are being erected in deserts around the globe—which makes sense: After all, deserts get plenty of sun, and they boast lots of room for rows of the large structures.
Unfortunately, deserts also have lots of sand blowing around. That sand can cover the panels, which of course are supposed to be kept clear in order to let in all that sunlight. So, maintenance crews must regularly drive “water buffalo” tanker trucks out to the solar plants—traveling many miles in, typically, fossil-fuel-powered vehicles. There, they power-wash the panels—using gallons of water, in arid regions that can ill afford it.
In India, where Annie Rabi Bernard (ENG’15,’20) grew up, that water is often diverted from farms and rural residents who still lack running water. “You would see trucks bringing in water to clean these panels, while literally on the other side of the road you’d see women and children walking towards wells to get water,” Bernard recalls. “It’s almost criminal to deprive a society of affordable water.”
January 16, 2026