New Study Shows How Solar Farms Can Boost Biodiversity

The UK is committed to reaching its net zero target by 2050 which means the switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy such as solar and wind is imperative. The areas of land being designated for solar farms is increasing but is sometimes considered to be bad for nature. Some people think that the panels could be damaging to nature, and others believe that the land should be used for agriculture. This does not need to be the case. Discovering ways to meet the UK’s climate and nature targets in productive landscapes is crucial for a sustainable future.

A new study conducted by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the University of Cambridge as part of the Centre for Landscape Regeneration has found that well-managed solar farms can make an important contribution to nature while also alleviating the effects of agricultural intensification. 

The report published in the journal Bird study explored two types of solar farms in the East Anglian Fens. The research revealed that solar farms could increase benefits for wildlife if they were managed with nature in mind. 

Dr Catherine Waite, researcher at the University of Cambridge and co-author of the study, said: 

“With the combined climate and biodiversity crises, using land efficiently is crucial. Our study shows that if you manage solar energy production in a certain way, not only are you providing clean energy but benefiting biodiversity."

The scientists first found that solar farms had far more species and individual birds per hectare compared to the surrounding arable land or solar farms that are intensively managed with a simpler associated habitat. Solar farms that provided mixed habitats, as well as having the greatest variety of species and flowering plants, also had the greatest number of threatened bird species, such as yellowhammer, linnet and corn bunting, numbers significantly higher than both simple habitat solar sites and arable land. Simple habitats are intensively managed, with no hedgerows along the boundaries and are constantly grazed by sheep. Insect life should also not be forgotten. Insects that live around ground-mounted photovoltaic panels can benefit neighbouring agriculture by enhancing the number of available pollinators. 

Dr Catherine Waite, said:

“The results of this study suggest that solar farms managed well for nature could make an important contribution and could provide relief from the effects of agricultural intensification on these species and other wildlife in the surrounding landscape.”

According to the study, the solar farms which had been managed with a mix of habitats, had not cut back grass and had maintained their hedgerows had almost three times as many birds present than the adjacent arable land. These solar farms provide more value for nature than the surrounding arable land. However, scientists discovered that biodiversity numbers varied greatly depending on how the solar farms are managed. 

The report comes at a time when the UK government is holding a consultation on how England’s finite land can be used to meet the increasing and sometimes competitive demands of food security, clean energy, nature restoration and new homes. The energy industry is certainly expecting to see more plans for large scale solar farms this year and beyond. 

The land-use framework acts as a guide for planning authorities and land managers so that they can make the best decisions on whether areas should be used for clean energy infrastructure, food production, reservoirs, roads, woodlands, or housing.

It is likely that much of the new solar capacity will be sited on agricultural land in lowland England which already accommodates high densities of farmland bird species, many of which have declining populations. With so much competition for UK land this would offer a solution to help the UK deliver on clean energy and biodiversity. 

Solar farms are not a threat to our national food security or food production especially if they are built on low or moderate grade agricultural land. Currently, planning policies in the UK discourage solar farms from being built on high-grade agricultural land which is helpful. The RSPB published a study last year that said there was enough land for both nature restoration needs and the renewable energy infrastructure needed for net zero but achieving these goals at the same time will require planning that prioritises nature. Although solar farms can be wildlife havens only about half of solar farms are managed with conservation in mind at the moment. These solar farms limit grazing to certain times of the year and reduce the use of herbicide. These measures help wildlife to thrive and benefit from the habitats created. 

The findings of the latest study also show that new solar farms should not be cited in areas of ecological risk, nature protected sites and other sites that are important for rare or declining species as these continue to be vital refuges for wildlife. Restoring such sites is crucial for meeting the Government’s legally binding nature recovery targets. However, the findings suggest that solar farms do not pose a threat to national food security especially when they are built on low or moderate grade agricultural land.

The RSPB called for a “strategic and spatial approach to planning for renewable energy" to ensure solar farms are cited in low areas of risk for nature. They believe that the current land use framework consultation is an "important step forward".

RSPB chief executive Beccy Speight said: 

“Delivering a future that safeguards nature, tackles climate change, ensures food security and resilient farm businesses, and enables sustainable development is the only sensible path. This research shows that it is possible to balance competing needs.”

The RSPB said that finding ways to help threatened farmland bird species is critical to their long-term survival.                                              

The study shows that if you manage solar energy production in a certain way, you will not only be providing clean energy but benefiting diversity. The research argues that the findings show that solar farms in arable-dominated landscapes that are managed for nature could provide biodiversity benefits as part of mixed-use landscapes. 

Dr Joshua Copping, conservation scientist at the RSPB and lead author of the study, said: 

“With lots of demands on UK land, finding ways and space to reverse the long-term declines in a range of farmland birds is challenging. Species such as corn bunting, linnet and yellowhammer have seen their populations dwindle and finding ways to help them is critical for their long-term survival.”

There is no doubt that solar farms can support biodiversity in the UK as well as being part of the UK’s vital renewable energy infrastructure. This can be achieved relatively simply by establishing grassland habitats, planting hedgerows, and creating ponds.