Towards a standardized protocol to assess natural capital and ecosystem services in solar parks

Carvalho, Fábio; Treasure, Lucy; Robinson, Samuel; Blaydes, Hollie; Exley, Giles; Hayes, Rachel M.; Howell, Belinda; Keith, Aidan M.; Montag, Hannah; Parker, Guy; Sharp, Stuart P.; Witten, None Cameron; Armstrong, Alona

doi:10.1002/2688-8319.12210

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 103 publications

(143 reference statements)

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“…Ecological assessments of existing ground-mounted photovoltaic systems show diverse impacts, ranging from markedly negative effects on the landscape and biodiversity [11][12][13][14] to potentially positive effects on ecosystem services [15,16] and several animal species groups [13,17,18]. In addition to siting [19,20], a key aspect of the ecological assessment of solar parks involves the design of the respective installation [15]. These parks can be up to several hundred hectares in size, with a continuous increase in their numbers [21,22], and grassland is usually included between and under the panels [23].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Until now, species-poor standard seed mixtures have often been used for this purpose, resulting in species-and structure-poor vegetation stands [25][26][27] with a low value for pollinator insects [28,29]. Initial studies indicate that the use of species-rich seed mixtures in the greening of solar parks can increase local pollinator services, which, in turn, have positive effects on biodiversity and agricultural production [8,9,15,30].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Bee-Friendly Native Seed Mixtures for the Greening of Solar Parks

Meyer

Dullau

Scholz

et al. 2023

Land

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Photovoltaics is one of the key technologies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving climate neutrality for Europe by 2050, which has led to the promotion of solar parks. These parks can span up to several hundred hectares, and grassland vegetation is usually created between and under the panels. Establishing species-rich grasslands using native seed mixtures can enhance a variety of ecosystem services, including pollination. We present an overall concept for designing native seed mixtures to promote pollinators, especially wild bees, in solar parks. It takes into account the specific site conditions, the small-scale modified conditions caused by the solar panels, and the requirement to avoid panel shading. We highlight the challenges and constraints resulting from the availability of species on the seed market. Furthermore, we provide an easy-to-use index for determining the value of native seed mixtures for wild bee enhancement and apply it as an example to several mixtures specifically designed for solar parks. The increased availability of regional seed would allow a more thorough consideration of pollinator-relevant traits when composing native seed mixtures, thereby enhancing ecosystem services associated with pollinators such as wild bees.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bee-Friendly Native Seed Mixtures for the Greening of Solar Parks

Meyer

Dullau

Scholz

et al. 2023

Land

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Integrated policymaking is needed to deliver climate and ecological benefits from solar farms

Carvalho,

Lee,

Blaydes

et al. 2024

Journal of Applied Ecology

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Multi‐purpose land use is of great importance for sustainable development, particularly in the context of increasing pressures on land to provide ecosystem services (e.g. food, energy) and support biodiversity. The recent global increase in land‐take for utility‐scale ground‐mounted solar farms (hereafter referred to as solar farms) to meet Net Zero targets presents an opportunity for enhanced delivery of ecosystem services, especially in temperate ecosystems where solar farm development often results in land use change away from comparatively intensive agricultural land management. Solar farms have long operational lifespans, experience low levels of disturbance during operation and can be managed for ecosystem services beyond low‐carbon electricity generation, including food production and biodiversity conservation. Here, we briefly synthesise the mechanisms by which solar farm development and operation may impact natural capital and ecosystem services, and provide policy recommendations for policymakers and the solar farm sector. Solar farms can deliver environmental benefits for hosting ecosystems while minimising negative impacts, with outcomes depending on location, construction techniques, and land management practices. However, the historical misalignment between climate, nature, and land use policies has hindered efforts to simultaneously address the climate and biodiversity crises through land use change for solar farms. For instance, existing public financial incentives in the UK that encourage landowners and developers to manage land for biodiversity largely exclude land with solar farms. Policy implications: We call for public policymakers to identify appropriate opportunities to amend existing national laws that address climate and biodiversity separately to improve integration of multiple aspects of the climate‐nature‐land use nexus into policymaking by: (1) formulating ecological and socio‐economic indicators and metrics that are appropriate to underpin the development, implementation, and assessment of public policies; (2) adopting a cross‐sectoral and cross‐government approach to form public policies; (3) ensuring solar farms can access public financial incentives that encourage sustainable land use; (4) implementing land use policies that incentivise funding from non‐government sources (e.g. private sector) into nascent nature markets; (5) embedding solar farms in biodiversity‐inclusive spatial planning policies and decision‐making; and (6) building equity and clarity into responsibilities and benefits for all actors involved.

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Creating wildlife habitat using artificial structures: a review of their efficacy and potential use in solar farms

Boscarino‐Gaetano,

Vernes,

Nordberg

2024

Biological Reviews

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The biodiversity crisis is exacerbated by a growing human population modifying nearly three‐quarters of the Earth's land surface area for anthropogenic uses. Habitat loss and modification represent the largest threat to biodiversity and finding ways to offset species decline has been a significant undertaking for conservation. Landscape planning and conservation strategies can enhance habitat suitability for biodiversity in human‐modified landscapes. Artificial habitat structures such as artificial reefs, nest boxes, chainsaw hollows, artificial burrows, and artificial hibernacula have all been successfully implemented to improve species survival in human‐modified and fragmented landscapes. As the global shift towards renewable energy sources continues to rise, the development of photovoltaic systems is growing exponentially. Large‐scale renewable projects, such as photovoltaic solar farms have large space requirements and thus have the potential to displace local wildlife. We discuss the feasibility of ‘conservoltaic systems’ – photovoltaic systems that incorporate elements tailored specifically to enhance wildlife habitat suitability and species conservation. Artificial habitat structures can potentially lessen the impacts of industrial development (e.g., photovoltaic solar farms) through strategic landscape planning and an understanding of local biodiversity requirements to facilitate recolonization.

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Towards a standardized protocol to assess natural capital and ecosystem services in solar parks

Abstract: This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Cited by 4 publications

References 103 publications

Bee-Friendly Native Seed Mixtures for the Greening of Solar Parks

Bee-Friendly Native Seed Mixtures for the Greening of Solar Parks

Integrated policymaking is needed to deliver climate and ecological benefits from solar farms

Creating wildlife habitat using artificial structures: a review of their efficacy and potential use in solar farms

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