Insight into the effects on land and biodiversity caused by land -based renewable energy sources is far from simple, Tom Kenning prescribes PV Tech Power.
In the Last edition of the PV Tech Power magazine ) Sun -PV can have positive ecological effects is being investigated.
The conversation around solar farms often lacks reliable data, leading to conflicting stories. Scientists such as Alona Armstrong, professor of energy and environmental sciences at Lancaster University in the UK and director of the Energy Lancaster Research Group of the university, are working on solid data on the assessments of the environment.
The Armstrong team has digitized almost all British solar farms to quantify how much land they are taking, how they are distributed all over the country and the changes in the country take over time.
“A scientific basis of evidence is crucial to inform the results and reduce controversy,” says Armstrong.
In comparison with conventional agricultural land, it has been established that solar farms increase both the diversity and the abundance of some plants, invertebrates and birds, as shown in a groundbreaking study conducted by Clarkson & Woods and Wychwood -Biodiversity in 2016.
On the other hand, if country was already managed for biodiversity, solar developments can disrupt an existing ecosystem.
The Full articlethat appears in PV Tech Power VOlume 42, is available with a premium subscription to PV Tech or Energy storage.news, or one Premium-Plus Subscription to both sites with payared.
