Solar Farms May Boost Biodiversity—New Research Suggests

The idea that solar farms harm biodiversity is increasingly being challenged by new research. Recent studies from the RSPB and the University of Cambridge suggest that well-managed solar farms can significantly increase bird populations, with some sites hosting nearly three times as many birds as intensively farmed arable land.

As part of the Centre for Landscape Regeneration, researchers studied six solar farms across East Anglia, comparing them with nearby farmland. Specifically, the study focused on two types of solar farms:

• Simple habitat – intensively managed, with no hedgerows and continuous sheep grazing.

• Mixed habitat – surrounded by hedgerows, with no grazing or grass cutting, encouraging greater plant diversity.

The results? Mixed habitat solar farms provided far greater ecological benefits, supporting species like Corn Buntings, Yellowhammers, and Linnets, many of which are in decline. Nearly 25% of birds recorded were on the UK’s red list for conservation concern, while 39% were on the amber list.

Beyond birds, solar farms are proving beneficial to soil health and wider biodiversity. Unlike intensively farmed land, they require minimal intervention—no pesticides, fertilisers, or frequent ploughing—allowing ecosystems to naturally regenerate. With 25-30 year operational lifespans, these sites provide a unique opportunity for long-term soil restoration and carbon sequestration.

Recognising this potential, the UK government introduced a biodiversity net gain (BNG) policy in February 2024, requiring all new solar projects to deliver at least a 10% uplift in biodiversity. Many developers are already exceeding this, incorporating wildflower meadows, ponds, and even community orchards to enhance local ecosystems.

As RSPB Chief Executive Beccy Speight puts it:
"Delivering a future that safeguards nature, tackles climate change, ensures food security and resilient farm businesses, and enables sustainable development is the only sensible path. This research shows that it is possible to balance competing needs.”

With ongoing studies from the University of Lancaster and Exeter University, it’s becoming clear: solar farms, when thoughtfully designed, can be a key part of the UK’s clean energy transition and its biodiversity recovery.

Read more:

https://www.cam.ac.uk/www.cam.ac.uk/stories/solar-biodiversity-birds

https://www.keele.ac.uk/about/news/2022/october/solar-wildlife/solar-farms-wildlife.php