TUCSON, July 16 (UPI) -- An Arizona watchdog group says solar power has some negative impacts.
Though solar energy is touted as being renewable and good for the planet because it generates power without emissions, the process of building the solar farms and transmitting the energy does have an environmental impact, the Arizona Daily Star reported.
Solar farms use water, and animals and plants can be adversely affected by their implementation.
Groups like Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility have called on the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to be more considerate of the environment when they are siting large solar farms.
PEER has suggested the focus with solar should be on rooftop panels and more urban applications.
Record high oil prices and U.S. dependence on foreign oil have prompted a rush of solar investment and development.