How can you minimize the impact of solar panels on wildlife?

In order to minimize land consumption, PV systems can be integrated with agricultural activities using elevated tracking structures that create an agri-PV. This configuration will not only permit to continue to usual agricultural activities but may also lead to an optimization of crop yield and quality. Such systems will have a minimal impact on the pre-existing ecosystem and animals living on the area (e.g. bees, butterflies, ladybugs, etc.). Even in a standard configuration, PV plants can support sheep grazing providing shelter to the animals

3 Considerations to start: Where your energy load is. Percentage of roofspace faces in a southerly direction. Incentives to rent space on roof tops against loss of productive land and increased food costs.

Location is an excellent start on how to minimise the affect of solar panels on animals,, and other aspects of the wildlife. In my experience, on top of location, a well designed solar panel system is also important . Especially for large-scale Solar, a well designed and located system can help mitigate the disruption that panels might bring, for example; the height of the panels, trackers, the quality of the solar panels and installation work that may help to reduce any unnecessary maintenance and disruptions that may happen more than regularly.

Start with a preliminary assessment of potential sites by employing digital tools like ArcGIS for spatial planning. These tools can help identify candidate areas based on factors like land use, topography, and proximity to biogentic/biosphere reserves. Overlay data on sensitive habitats, ecological hotspots, and protected areas to identify suitable sites that avoid these regions.

I’ve worked with innovative providers of off-grid solar power plants who have engineered a way to make them mobile. This could be a useful application that allows installers to adjust panel locations depending on seasonal agricultural land use or impact on animal habitats. The relocation costs for such small, or mid-sized or modular -sized systems could lessen the operational and financial burden for installers and users.

Solar panels can be installed on roof tops rather than on the ground. This may not be possible where there no roof tops and you need a large capacity. But that’s exactly what I do not support. Solar power should be used directly rather than via the electricity route. Examples are Solar cookers, water heaters, lanterns and others. An off grid solar network could be easier to manage and avoid T&D losses. I am not saying this is the ultimate answer but surely a sustainable one.

If the bird is at the correct angle it will experience glare. However, birds will most likely look away or orient themselves so as not to be blinded. Birds hit windows because they are perpendicular to the direction in which they typically fly. Window reflections makes it hard for birds to see that what they are flying into is glass. Solar panels, on the other hand, are oriented more horizontally and reflect the sky, so it is easier for birds see them. They may hit the edges of solar panels, but that would be as common as birds hitting branches. You could make the edges more visible by putting contrasting light and dark colored stripes on them. PVs as ground cover will have a much greater impact on habitat for grazers like deer, elk, etc.

As the we humans shifting towards renewable energy sources like solar power, it's essential to consider the environmental impact of these technologies. Solar panels, while a clean energy solution, can have unintended consequences on wildlife. Here are some strategies to minimize their impact: Site Selection: Choose solar installation locations carefully. Avoid areas that are critical habitats for endangered species or ecosystems. Conduct thorough environmental assessments to identify potential risks. Low-Impact Designs: Opt for solar panel designs that minimize disruption to local ecosystems. Ground-mounted systems can be less disruptive than rooftop installations, as they often require less land clearing.

Normally , the solar plant is not recommended in areas with fertile land and forest areas . Fertile land cannot be sacrificed affecting the farmers and in those areas normally the capacity utilisation factor is low to very low geographically . The wild live population , normally has their natural tract of movement . These tracts should not be used . Continuous laying of solar plants in a wide area will distract the birds and gradually they will not visit such places . In those areas , solar roof tops can be considered in isolated villages where normal transmission lines proved to be very costly . A combination of solar plants with some agri products is a very good idea , which gives additional employment and reduces the cost of power

Consider that regulators and communities may value certain habitats more than your investment in that location. It is prudent to seek advice prior to committing to a site so that you can understand unforeseen costs or heightened risk of regulator refusal.

First of all solar panels cannot be found around the habitats of wildlife. They are all in the desert kind of places. Possibly the impacted wildlife over there are the turkey buzzards, vultures hovering on hot air. Maybe non reflective dark absorbent material could be tried out on the panels.

Large scale plants require bigger parcel of land. One should not select a site that is habitat of wild animals because such encroachment is bound to disrupt the life-cycle of animals, particularly when 15 to 20 years is the life span of plant. Large solar plants can certainly improve the ecology, if provisions in design are made for rain water harvesting, leveraging the sloping panels. Panels need regular cleaning that requires water. Drawing water by borewell should not be an option as it will disrupt water table over the 15-20 year period. Impact on water dynamics at site should be a key parameter to ensure sustainability of wild life.

In addition to natural and environmental factors, it's important to consider the human activities that may pair well with PV facilities. While residential rooftop is not ideal, small/large commercial sites are often well suited suited for localized arrays that can provide resiliency benefits in addition to clean energy.

Apart from land parcels, solar power plants need high voltage transmission lines and substations etc. Transmission lines also require right of way and line loss is another major issue. Decentralised solar plants at village levels should be encouraged. Power can be consumed wherever they are generated. We can avoid cost of high voltage transmission lines and line losses. Solar water pumps for agriculture and roof top solar for houses also will help to reduce transmission related issues.