Solar cells are ideal for large and small solar energy systems in arid lands, because they require no water. They might design and manage them better if they understood technoecology. Once their oil runs out, they may not have the resources to build a new energy base from scratch. So best to do it right, in the present, helping prepare the way for advanced solar energy systems of the future. Even small amounts of added energy from solar sources will go a long way for the people in these countries, and will buffer them from long-term fuel shortages if and when the oil niche collapses.
Outer space is the largest desert.
Present and planned systems of rockets, space stations, and colonies on Mars are nothing but technoecosystems composed of technoorganisms, all adapted to strange new environments. Although the forms might appear to be new, the basic underlying principles of organization would be the same as in bioecosystems and technoecosystems here on this planet. There would be evolution and succession, regional distribution varying with local resources and conditions, niches, limits, and environmental effects. Different world, but same story. To maintain a U.S. level lifestyle requires about 10 kilowatts of high quality energy per person.