Developing conservoltaic systems to support biodiversity on solar farms

Authors: Eric J. Nordberg (University of New England and James Cook University) and Lin Schwarzkopf (James Cook University)

Can solar farms provide suitable habitat for wildlife?

Habitat conversion is one of the leading threats to biodiversity globally (Fischer and Lindenmayer 2007). Renewable energy initiatives such as large-scale solar, wind, and hydroelectric power installations have recently boomed, requiring large areas of land for power generation. To offset decreasing land available for biodiversity and nature conservation, land-sharing (i.e., using the same land for multiple purposes; Fischer et al. 2008) could maximise land value.

Agrivoltaic systems (agriculture + voltaic [solar energy]) are one of the suggested multi-function land uses for renewable energy. In these systems, solar energy and agricultural practices coexist to produce beneficial outcomes for both industries, emerging to better meet needs for multiple commercial-scale financial returns (Dinesh and Pearce 2016; Dupraz et al. 2011; Adeh et al. 2019). No such scheme, however, exists for combining solar energy and wildlife conservation in Australia.

Here we introduce the concept of conservoltaic systems (conservation + voltaic [solar energy]), to identify and exploit opportunities to combine solar energy production and biodiversity conservation. Innovative design and management strategies on solar farms could contribute to nature conservation. Solar panels may provide suitable habitat and structural complexity for wildlife, including shelter from predators, perch or nesting structures, shading, etc. (Nordberg et al. 2021), which can be enhanced with appropriate management (e.g., targeted habitat restoration activities). Consequently, a few studies from Europe have identified opportunities to enhance pollinator biodiversity on large-scale solar parks (Blaydes et al. 2022, 2021; Montag et al. 2016).

Clearly defining the required characteristics of conservoltaic sites and the management required for wildlife to benefit from such opportunities is urgent, especially given the current and rapidly increasing extent of solar farms world-wide (Agha et al. 2020; Nordberg et al. 2021).  Further, building solar farms on sites degraded by previous land uses, such as arable cropland or livestock grazing, especially in areas with low productivity, provides an opportunity to minimise land conversion while simultaneously increasing land value by creating habitat for local wildlife.

We are, however, lacking research on appropriate locations, configurations, and management schemes on solar farms to enhance biodiversity retention and recovery. We urgently require empirical data on wildlife use of solar farms and adjoining areas to successfully identify land-sharing opportunities of hybrid landscape designs, or ‘conservoltaic’ systems. A collaborative approach across industry, land managers, and research organisations are needed to facilitate land management schemes that promote energy production and conservation actions simultaneously (Moore-O’Leary et al. 2017).