These panels convert sunlight into electricity through a process known as the photovoltaic effect. Why aren't the world's deserts blanketed with solar panels, transforming barren landscapes into hubs of renewable energy? Below, Just Have a Think takes you through how deserts, seemingly perfect candidates for solar farms with their endless sunlight and open spaces, present a surprising mix of. A YouTuber driving a Tesla Model X the entire length of the Americas ran out of battery in Chile's Atacama Desert — the driest place on Earth — and had to deploy emergency solar panels on the side of the highway to survive. The whole ordeal, captured on video, is a fascinating look at both the. In one of the most remote environments on Earth, a Tesla owner turned to an improvised solution after depleting the battery mid-journey. Tesla driver forced to stop and use solar after range falls short. Everyday Sandro Over the course of a three-year journey across the Americas, YouTuber Sandro. A massive solar tower in the Moroccan desert is the beacon of an ambitious push for a clean energy future. One major concern is heat absorption —solar panels are dark and absorb more heat than the sand around them. However, the problem with covering the entirety of the desert with solar.