Researchers at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) are exploring the intersection of bird conservation and floating solar energy systems. UC Davis researcher Emma Forester and UC Davis Wild Energy Center postdoctoral scholar Elliott Steele led this groundbreaking study. Their mission is to help renewable energy siting and development co-exist with diverse and abundant wildlife.
The team’s research is focused on the feasibility of floating photovoltaic (PV) projects—often called “floatovoltaics”—for various sites. Such systems have become increasingly popular around the globe for their efficiency and ability to save space. Forester’s fieldwork for this project took place at a floating solar project in Napa Valley, California. This study further underscores the important role that these types of installations play in protecting local bird populations.
Understanding Floatovoltaics
Floating photovoltaics are increasingly being implemented in various locations, including a small winery in California and large-scale projects in China. These systems are an exciting and innovative development in the renewable energy space that prioritize land-conserving deployments while increasing efficiency in energy production overall.
As Forester says, it’s important to know how these new systems are going to affect local wildlife. “There are some things we wished we’d known before other kinds of renewable energy were developed,” she stated. This recognition is part of a growing trend of concern for the ecological footprint of renewable energy technologies.
The research team is especially interested in waterbird species, which could be vulnerable to the rapid spread of floating solar installations. Their work is all about monitoring how these birds act around floatovoltaics. In doing so, they work to develop customized conservation approaches to individual sites, areas, or migratory seasons.
The Role of Bird Conservation Strategies
The study highlights the need for targeted conservation strategies as floating solar projects expand. Forester emphasizes the importance of thinking about how waterbirds could react to these installations. Steele said it’s crucial to know how waterbirds will respond to floating solar arrays. He noted the opportunity for climate-friendly conservation concessions at the new floating solar arrays.
The CNMS team is dedicated to supporting clean energy projects that foster the development of healthy ecosystems. They are hoping to find a middle ground between facilitating clean and renewable energy migration and protecting at-risk bird populations. To learn more about how people interact with waterbirds on FPV installations, they are conducting a Floating PV Perception Survey. At times, this means taking enforcement or deterrence actions.
Forester continues, “Our multidisciplinary team uniquely leveraged our understanding of both the ecology and advanced energy system science to identify risks and synthesize solutions that can allow waterbirds and floating PV to coexist. Climate resilience This forward-thinking approach produces positive effects by lessening wildlife’s harm from climate change. It further explores the ecological advantages that floatovoltaics might offer.
Documenting Bird Behavior
The team’s findings are especially important in light of the widespread and severe loss of waterbird populations across the world. Our research team has observed some incredibly unique complete avian behaviors with floating PV. We immediately knew this was a critical interaction,” said Rebecca R. Hernandez, a coauthor of the study. From the documentation and analysis of bird behavior comes the understanding of how best to help them. These findings will inform designers to create floating solar projects that are more wildlife-friendly.
The research team is optimistic about the future of renewable energy development and its potential to integrate seamlessly with ecological considerations. Forester emphasized the need for deliberate planning at this turning point in renewable energy deployment. If we want to create a future where both birds and people thrive, we have to build smarter solutions to protect them.
Their study has been published under the DOI: 10.1038/s44221-025-00429-4 and was retrieved on May 12, 2025, from phys.org. This publication serves as a significant contribution to the ongoing discourse surrounding renewable energy and wildlife conservation.