Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory and National Renewable Energy Laboratory wanted to understand the ecological value of PV solar energy sites planted with native grasses and wildflowers.
Restoration of insect habitat paired with smart land use changes toward renewable energy developments could help reverse the course.
For instance, as a carbon-neutral source of electricity, expanded PV solar energy development is critical to mitigating climate change.
Pairing solar energy facilities on previously disturbed lands with habitat enhancement sounds like a logical win-win strategy to address energy and biodiversity challenges.
"It demonstrates, if properly sited, habitat-friendly solar energy can be a feasible way to safeguard insect populations and can improve the pollination services in adjacent agricultural fields."
Second, habitat-friendly solar sites can help mitigate land-use conflicts associated with the conversion of farmland for solar energy production.
Insect community responses to habitat establishment at solar energy facilities in Minnesota, USA, Environmental Research Letters (2023). »
