Throughout the UK, not least here in West Dorset, areas of agricultural land and brownfield sites are being used to produce renewable energy from solar farms. Somerset-based British Solar Renewables recognise that these sites offer an unparalleled opportunity to actively promote biodiversity and have commissioned a West Dorset organisation to set up and run a groundbreaking ecology research study using their solar farms.
Community Heat and Power Ltd is working with the Brooks Development Practice in Salwayash to design the study and manage the collection of data from the sites. They hope this will develop best practice guidelines for the whole solar industry in the design of solar farms to support and enhance the habitat for species such as butterflies, moths, amphibians, reptiles, birds, bats and hedgehogs.
“The plan is to engage with specialist wildlife partners for each of the species and for their habitats. Partners so far include Buglife, the NFU and the National Solar Centre”. Paul Hetherington, Director of Communications for Buglife said, ‘Buglife are delighted to be taking part in this ground breaking project that will be setting the gold standard for conservation in and around solar installations. Solar energy is a green renewable alternative to fossil fuels and with careful management can also create positive oases for biodiversity a win, win for the planet, people and invertebrates.’
The steering group will be chaired by Professor Sir Ghillean Prance FRS, VMH, a resident of Lyme Regis and ex-Director of Kew Gardens, whose new book on his botanical expeditions in the Amazon Rainforest will be published in April. Julian Brooks of Community Heat & Power said, ‘The benefit of using a solar farm for this research is that once the short construction phase is complete, the site remains largely undisturbed for up to 25 years. This study will help to create potentially the first and largest scientific body of knowledge in the world on solar farms and their ability to influence and enhance biodiversity.’
Hannah Lovegrove
