Bats are less active around solar farms, reveals new research.
The activity level of six bat species was “significantly” reduced at solar farm sites in the UK, according to the findings.
Scientists say their study, published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, has the potential to influence planning legislation and policy so that the benefits of solar power are reaped without impacting wildlife.
Renewable energy is growing, with solar power providing around 30 percent of global renewable power, and increasing in amount by 25 percent in 2021.
Study lead author and doctoral researcher Lizy Tinsley, from the University of Bristol, said: “Renewable energies can have negative impacts on biodiversity and mitigation is essential to provide win-win solutions for energy suppliers and for wildlife.”
The research team set up bat static monitoring equipment in a solar farm field, and a matched field without solar panels.
Fields were matched in sizes, land use, and boundary features -such as hedges, fences and streams – and a bat detector was placed in the middle and edge of both fields, totaling four recording locations, repeated across 19 separate sites.
The researchers said field boundaries were selected as they are important navigation features for bats.
The data from the different echolocation calls at recording points were then analyzed to identify the bat species and the number of bat passes.
The team found that the activity level of Common Pipistrelle, Noctule, Myotis species, Serotine, Soprano pipistrelle and Long-eared species was “substantially” lower at solar farm sites, compared to the paired control sites.
Tinsley said: “Due to the significant negative impact identified, solar farm developments should be screened in an Environmental Impact Assessment for ecological impacts so that appropriate mitigation be designed against the impacts, and monitoring undertaken.
“This has already been done with wind farms – where mortality of bats has been reduced by changing the wind speeds at which turbines become operational and by using acoustic deterrents, at minimal cost.
“Further research is required to assess bat behavior at solar farms, and why it is causing the significant decrease of certain species at the site.
“Is it the loss of suitable habitat that reduces activity? Are they fewer insect prey available, and are bats at risk of collisions with panels?
“It will be important to identify mitigation strategies that can benefit bats at solar farms, such as planting insect-friendly plants, providing corridors to insect-rich habitats, or providing suitable alternative foraging habitats such as trees.
“Mitigation strategies can potentially mean that renewable energy can be provided while simultaneously having no detriment to wildlife.
“Such mitigation will be critical in reaping the undoubted benefits for climate change that can be provided by renewable energy.”
Co-author Professor Gareth Jones added: “This is novel research, as the impacts of solar farms on wildlife are currently little understood, with no evidence regarding their effects on bats, which can provide valuable ecosystem services such as the suppression of pest insect populations.
“The situation is potentially of concern as solar farms are occupying increasing areas of suitable foraging area for bats, and we already know that bats can collide with vertical flat surfaces, and can mistake flat surfaces for water, and attempt to drink from them.
“Very little is known on the impacts of solar farms on bat, particularly in the UK.”
Produced in association with SWNS Talker
Edited by Arnab Nandy
