Renewable energies and biodiversity: impact of ground-mounted solar photovoltaic sites on bat activity

Renewable energy is growing at a rapid pace globally, but as yet there has
been little research on the effects of ground-mounted solar photovoltaic
(PV) developments on bats, many species of which are threatened or
protected. We conducted a paired study at 19 ground-mounted solar PV
developments in southwest England. We used static detectors to record bat
echolocation calls from boundaries (i.e., hedgerows) and central locations
(open areas) at fields with solar PV development, and simultaneously at
matched sites without solar PV developments (control fields). We used
generalized linear mixed-effect models to assess how solar PV developments
and boundary habitat affected bat activity and species richness. The
activity of six of eight species/species groups analysed was negatively
affected by solar PV panels, suggesting that loss and/or fragmentation of
foraging/commuting habitat is caused by ground-mounted solar PV panels.
Pipistrellus pipistrellus and Nyctalus spp. activity was lower at solar PV
sites regardless of the habitat type considered. Negative impacts of solar
PV panels at field boundaries were apparent for the activity of Myotis
spp. and Eptesicus serotinus, and in open fields for Pipistrellus pygmaeus
and Plecotus spp. Bat species richness was greater along field boundaries
compared with open fields, but there was no effect of solar PV panels on
species richness. Policy Implications: Ground-mounted solar PV
developments have a significant negative effect on bat activity, and
should be considered in appropriate planning legislation and policy. Solar
PV developments should be screened in Environmental Impact Assessments for
ecological impacts, and appropriate mitigation (e.g., maintaining
boundaries, planting vegetation to network with surrounding foraging
habitat) and monitoring should be implemented to highlight potential
negative effects.