Solar farms ‘havens’ for wildlife

Solar farms could offer a vital boost to Britain’s wildlife and rare species, according to a new report.

The report, from Solar Trade Association (STA), which includes research from the Universities of York and Lancaster, says well-designed and managed solar farms could provide a haven for British wildlife, including declining species such as foraging bats, yellowhammers and grey-legged partridges.

It says because solar farms can be in place for 30-40 years and require minimal human disturbance to maintain, there is potential for a range of conservation initiatives to be implemented.

These might include schemes such as planting hedgerows and creating wildflower meadows, as well as wetland development, have far-reaching benefits including biodiversity and habitat provision, flood mitigation, carbon storage, soil erosion mitigation and pollination for food provision.

The report draws on over 700 pieces of evidence from over 450 peer-reviewed scientific publications on management actions in support of ecosystem services and was co-developed with people involved in solar park development, operation and maintenance, nature conservation bodies, land owners, the farming community and ecological consultancies.

The editor of the report, Nicholas Gall from the STA, said: ‘Wildlife and plant species face profound threats today which are compounded by climate change.

‘The Solar Trade Association is determined to promote best practice in the development and management of solar parks so that our industry helps to turn around prospects for nature while slashing millions of tonnes of carbon emissions.

‘This report shows that, when real care is taken, solar farms can deliver tremendous benefits for wildlife, pollinators and even sustainable food production.’

Funded by the Natural Environment Council, researchers from the Universities of York and Lancaster have created a new tool – The Solar Park Impacts on Ecosystem Services (SPIES) tool – to help create and manage solar farms that maximise benefits to nature.

Professor Piran White, from the Department of Environment and Geography at the University of York, said: ‘In the light of ongoing declines of bees, butterflies and farmland birds across the UK, it is vital that we take every opportunity to encourage more environmentally-sensitive land management.

‘By demonstrating how solar parks can be managed to enhance natural capital and ecosystem services, the SPIES tool shows that producing clean energy from solar parks can also deliver important co-benefits for nature conservation.’