Mons Solar as an energy source that is renewable solar energy plays significant impact on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as well as combating climate change. This is essential to protect animals, humans and ecosystems. Solar energy is also able to enhance air quality and cut down on the use of water from energy production, and offer ecosystem services to host communities by capturing carbon pollination, securing stormwater management for the ground and. Since solar photovoltaics that are mounted on the ground (PV) and Concentrating the power of solar thermal (CSP) systems require the land, they must be chosen, planned and controlled to limit impacts on local wildlife as well as habitats for wildlife, the soil and water resources. It is the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) is a research partner to understand the ways in which the solar power installations and wildlife and ecosystems interact, and to find strategies that will maximize the positive effects on the local ecosystem as well as the communities that host them, says Mons Solar.

Why is This Research Topic Important?

The Department of Energy’s Solar Futures Study offers a variety of possibilities of solar energy use which could assist in helping in helping the United States achieve a carbon-free electricity grid in 2035. The study suggests that the development of solar energy could require up to 5.7 million hectares of terrain, or about 0.3 percent of the entire area of the contiguous U.S., by 2035. As the deployment for solar power projects grows and become more sophisticated, having a better understanding of how solar energy infrastructures impact wildlife as well as the ecosystem will aid in the development of strategies and techniques that will limit or avoid negative effects and increase advantages, Mons Solar said,

Mons Solar

When deciding on the location and permitting to solar power projects, solar companies usually examine several sites, site designs and operating strategies. They evaluate the environmental impact of their projects, ensuring compliance with applicable federal as well as state and local laws; requesting feedback from regulators conducting impacts assessment and mitigation. Developers, regulatory agencies host communities, and various other stakeholders are interested in developing strategies and tools to enhance the siting and permit process as well as ensure the health of the ecosystems around them. By increasing the quantity of options and proven strategies accessible to all those involved, SETO is improving decision-making and reducing cost of soft expenses (or non-hardware expenses) of solar development, while also balancing the impact on the natural environmental.

SETO Research on Solar Energy, Wildlife, and the Environment

SETO-funded research initiatives are managed by groups of partners that could include members of the solar sector, communities that host solar panels, state, and local authorities as well as universities as well as environmental and conservation organizations, as well as the agricultural sector. Through its technical assistance programs, SETO promotes the sharing of information between stakeholders about the most recent techniques and methods that enable users to use solar in eco-friendly ways.

SETO research into the environment and wildlife has an emphasis on fairness and environmental justice as a principle. SETO acknowledges that increasing the conservation results of massive solar development will make sure that natural resources like wildlife, are utilized by every community in the coming years. Optimizing the ecosystem benefits of solar energy projects can help improve the quality of life for communities in which they reside. Research projects collaborate early and frequently with other stakeholders to align their research goals with the goals and priorities of communities in need, implement policies for hiring that are inclusive to ensure diversity within research teams, and conduct educational outreach to promote participation of students who are underrepresented who are in Science, Technology, Engineering as well as Mathematics (STEM) areas.

Wildlife-Solar Interactions

The development of new technologies and methods to better understand and monitor interactions between wildlife, ecosystems and large-scale solar installations which include the avian species.

Making guidance and decision-making instruments to assist in the implementation of solar-pollinator habitats that utilize large-scale solar facilities.

Examining the biodiversity and amount of native pollinator insects as well as bats, birds and other insects in conjunction with co-locating pollinator habitats in large-scale solar power facilities.

The development of new technologies and methods to better monitor and comprehend relationships between the projects they work with and birds of prey.

Stormwater Runoff and Water Quality

Conducting field studies to develop and test a model that can forecast stormwater runoff and infiltration in a range of conditions on the site and determine the best practices for managing stormwater for solar installations that are mounted to the ground.

Analyzing the effects on the effects of floating PV (FPV) Systems on the quality of water wildlife activity, water quality, and the performance of PV.

Soil Health

Monitoring the condition of soils and grassland ecological health at solar farms that are also located near cattle grazing on pastures.

Monitoring soil health and microclimate conditions for a variety of crops in different design of solar arrays.

Browse for the Solar Energy Research Database for more information about SETO-funded projects in particular.

Additional Resources

Large-Scale Solar Siting Information on background and frequently asked questions about the large-scale solar sitting techniques.

Solar Impacts on Ecosystems and Wildlife RFI Summary – Request for information (RFI) Abstract Summary of the responses received to an RFI issued by SETO in 2021 regarding Solar energy’s effects on ecosystems and wildlife.

Avian-Solar Multi-Agency Collaborative Group A cooperative working group comprised of state and federal agencies that was formed to help promote a better understanding of the effects on avian species resulting from solar energy projects as well as the associated infrastructure.

Avian Solar Working Group A group of collaboration of academics, environmental groups solar firms, academics and solar industry experts who coordinate research to understand the way the birds are affected by solar power facilities.

End-of-Life-Management for Photovoltaics Introduction to the topic and a brief outline of the SETO’s work in developing designs and materials that will make PV more recyclable and less damaging to the environment at end of its life.

InSPIRE The project, supervised by National Renewable Energy, conducts field studies throughout the United States to improve the ecological compatibility and mutual advantages of solar development in native landscapes and agriculture.

AgriSolar Clearinghouse – An information-sharing, relationship-building, public communications hub for agrivoltaics.