The solar development industry is becoming acutely aware of the unintended impacts solar farms have on wildlife, and more specifically, on migratory birds. Solar capacity is growing by leaps and bounds annually, covering huge swathes of ground. These facilities are often designed to resemble lakes, further disorienting migratory birds as they pass through. In 2023, solar panels occupied around 37,886 square kilometers of land—equivalent to approximately 0.025% of Earth’s surface—highlighting the urgent need to address the ecological impact of these installations.
The increasing affordability and rapid deployment of solar power is a key pillar in the global race to build a low-carbon future. As the need for new solar installations keeps growing, so too does the need for land, raising alarm bells over the potential for habitat destruction. Each megawatt of solar power produced typically would require 2 to 6 hectares of land. This multiscale practice kills millions of insects, including pollinators, spreading significant risks to local ecosystems.
Impact on Wildlife and Migration Patterns
The reflective glare from solar panels can confuse migrating birds into thinking they are headed towards a body of water. The advent of polarized light pollution puzzles migrating birds. Incredibly, it can throw them way off course from their typical migratory routes.
Professor Trish Fleming, a wildlife ecologist, elaborated on the issue in her recent research published in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. To start, she made one thing perfectly clear—solar energy is key to reducing carbon emissions. She noted its destructive effects on wildlife.
“The reflective glare from solar panels mimics the appearance of water bodies, confusing migrating birds and leading them off course,” – Professor Fleming.
The impact extends beyond mere navigation errors. The insect-attractant effect of the light reflection, meanwhile, brings birds and bats into contact with newly growing colonies of insects, creating a new feeding ground. Although this may seem advantageous, it prevents natural foraging behaviors and makes them more prone to collision with solar facilities.
“While this may seem beneficial, it can alter natural foraging behaviors and increase collision risks,” – Professor Fleming.
Technological Solutions and Wildlife-Friendly Designs
Researchers are rising to these challenges and investigating highly promising technological solutions. All of these innovations have similar goals — minimizing the negative impacts of solar farms on wildlife. As potential solutions, innovations like nano-coating solar panels to diffuse polarized light pollution have been proposed by experts like Professor Fleming.
“Nano-coating solar panels to reduce polarized light pollution is one change that could help prevent birds from mistaking panels for water,” – Professor Fleming.
These coatings would change how light is reflected off the surface, reducing the panels’ visibility and disruptive impacts on wildlife. Nevertheless, such advancements have the potential to create more wildlife-compatible solar designs and deployments. They will do a better job of protecting our ecological integrity while we grow renewable energy.
Case Study: Nevada Solar Facility
One impressive example of an environmentally friendly approach to solar energy execution is the Pahrump solar facility, located in Nevada. As the bridge was being constructed, one such tortoise was removed from the construction site so it would be safe. After the facility was built, we were able to reintroduce the tortoise back into the wild. This action underscores our commitment to wildlife conservation, even while we work to advance more expansions.
This case exemplifies how large solar farms can shatter important habitats. Yet it is feasible to institute a set of strategies that go a long way to mitigating their ecological impact. Facilities like Pahrump serve as models for future developments, emphasizing the importance of integrating wildlife conservation into renewable energy infrastructure.