Potential Interactions Between Birds And Floating Photovoltaic Solar Energy: Spatially Informed Species Vulnerabilities, Techno-Ecological Risks, And Sustainability Trade-Offs

Floating photovoltaics
(floating solar panels; FPV) can reduce
the negative impacts of solar energy development in terrestrial environments,
but their effects on freshwater ecosystems remain poorly understood.
We examined potential FPV interactions with avian biodiversity, using
previously modeled technical potential of FPV in the northeastern
United States. We developed a vulnerability index based on avian species’:
(i) morphological traits, (ii) level of conservation concern, and
(iii) habitat requirements. Using eBird participatory science data,
we assessed the risk of FPV to 291 species of birds occurring at FPV-suitable
waterbodies based on their vulnerability index and estimated relative
abundance at each location. The greatest risk of FPVs to birds was
associated with waterbodies near the Atlantic coast and Great Lakes,
and most (80%) of these high-risk waterbodies were smaller waterbodies.
Because the avian risk at FPV-suitable waterbodies was not correlated
with estimated energy generation, reducing risk to birds might not
require energy trade-offs. Moreover, avoiding FPV installations at
waterbodies predicted to pose high risk to birds is likely to return
social and recreational benefits while minimizing risk of biofouling.
Our analysis provides a framework for proactively evaluating risk,
reducing potential adverse impacts of FPV to birds, and identifying
cobenefits of sustainable FPV siting across waterscapes.