One common concern facing solar is the environmental impact of blanketing large tracts of land with solar panels. These concerns aren’t baseless. After all, large-scale solar farms do require significant amounts of space. But this doesn’t mean solar farms need to destroy local ecosystems. In fact, there is a growing body of research that suggests that solar farms can enhance local biodiversity.

Designing pollinator-friendly solar farms

A recent study examined two solar farms in Minnesota and the impact they had on local pollinators and other insects. The study found that over five years, insect abundance tripled both sites. 

The two solar farms were intentionally designed to support pollinators. Raised solar panels enabled native grasses and plants to thrive alongside the panels. The careful selection of native vegetation aimed to restore the native habitat for wildlife and manage onsite soil and water losses. This has had the effect of revitalizing populations of beneficial insects–including bees–who are struggling with habitat loss across the country.

For solar installers concerned about potentially increased costs, making solar arrays pollinator-friendly may even result in financial savings. Solar-pollinator habitats require less mowing and maintenance, which is often more than enough to compensate for construction costs associated with raised panels. With the right approach to both the array and the plants underneath, solar-pollinator habitats are possible without significant costs.

“It is crucial that we recognize solar’s potential for protecting habitats,” said Johanna Neumann, senior director of Environment America Research & Policy Center’s Campaign for 100% Renewable Energy. “At a time when bees are in trouble and we need to transition to clean energy as quickly as possible, making sure our solar farms support native pollinators is an obvious solution.”

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