Panels in the Desert - Environmental or not?

[St Rhenium]

I often wonder why we don't utilise more of the world's deserts for solar farms. The main downside I can think of other than cost is that it would damage the habitat of desert-dwelling creatures. Which do you think is more important - a natural habitat or clean, renewable energy?

[LucidEnergy]

I think Algeria were thinking of this. It would be the most efficient place to use them, but tranferring the electricity would be the biggest roadblock to a largescale project like this. It wouldn't take a massive chunk to power the entire world, only about 3% of the Sahara I think.

[CuriousGeorge]

Really? Only 3%? If that's so, it's something the world should be investing in right now.