Possibilities of Pollinator Conservation Under Solar Farming

Journal Article: Possibilities of Pollinator Conservation Under Solar Farming

Abstract

Solar energy is becoming more competitive with non-renewable sources, as day by day solar energy production is increasing. It has also been found that nowadays there is a huge utilization of land for the purpose of solar energy production (Dolezal et al., 2021). Solar energy may be exploited in various ways on farms. The term "solar energy farming (SEF)" is used to refer agricultural–solar utilisation systems (also known as agri-voltaic) in which utilised arable land is either augmented with solar energy farming or converted to solar energy farming (Al-Saidi and Lahham, 2019). In addition to technological challenges, solar developers must purchase or lease property that is connected to the current electricity system. Solar projects made out of gravel or mowed turf grass encircled by security fence raise ambient temperatures and are regarded ugly by the general population (Barron- Gafford et al., 2016). Solar farms are large-scale solar installations that harvest the sun's energy using photovoltaic (PV) panels, often known as solar panels, or alternative methods of collecting solar energy, such as concentrating solar systems. In a variety of respects, they differ from rooftop solar systems and even commercial solar power systems (Dolezal et al., 2021). In rural regions, where the removal of land for agricultural use would have economic consequences, especially if farmers rent land for production, resistance might be significant. Ignoring environmental and social concerns leads to disgruntled communities, unfavorable media attention, higher prices, and the potential for solar expansion to be derailed. Adding components to solar farms that bring extra advantages to the local community is one method to overcome this opposition. The replacement of onsite gravel or turf with well-planned landscaping that adds conservation or commercial benefit is an innovative method. Pollinator conservation necessitates the reintroduction of flowering plants and nesting sites to the landscape (Goulson et al., 2015). The native, perennial, flowering plants of the Midwest attract both wild and managed bees (Tuell et al., 2008), and when planted in a mix (Gill et al., 2014), the number of pollinators increases throughout the growing season. It has also been reported that after planting flowering plants under solar farm, it supplied enough amount of forage for predominant bees and other pollinators which are found to decline in the United States (Koh et al. 2016).

Topics

Entomology

Apiaries

Reviews/Informational

Agrivoltaic Activity: Habitat/Ecovoltaics

Authors: S. Sen, S. Borkataki, S.P. Nanda and M.D. Reddy

Published Journal

Agriculture & Environment, 2022

DOI: Not Provided
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Online: Internet link for Possibilities of Pollinator Conservation Under Solar Farming

Citation

S. Sen, S. Borkataki, S.P. Nanda, M.D. Reddy. 2022. Possibilities of Pollinator Conservation Under Solar Farming. Agriculture & Environment. 3(3):44-46.