Apiculture and photovoltaic solar generation, a well-matched marriage?

Without a doubt, beekeeping must be an activity compatible with photovoltaic solar energy generation facilities (or vice versa), without compromising or jeopardizing the biodiversity of the ecosystem in which both activities are based. On these days that we have commemorated International Bee Day (May 20) and World Biodiversity Day (May 22), we share some ideas to make them compatible.

Vegetation and soil management

The promotion of natural, native vegetation adapted to the climate and the terrain, either through the planting of seed mixtures or spontaneously, is one of the keys to proper soil management, and an important contribution of ecological and environmental value, to the environment of a photovoltaic plant. The elimination of the use of herbicides and pesticides, the carrying out of sporadic mowing and allowing the flowering process of plants, guarantee resources for the well-being of hives. The proper management of cattle huts, at low intensity and in periods away from the flowering of plants, is also contemplated and is being experimented with as a solution to support the maintenance of facilities.

Intensive Apiculture vs Comprehensive Farm Management

Is beekeeping always beneficial to the planet's biodiversity? As with almost everything, it depends on restraint. There is an “industrial” beekeeping, in which only productivity and profitability prevail, which manages hundreds of hives and which in some cases uses exotic breeds of bees that can transmit diseases to other insects in the environment. In addition, such a high number of hives on a single farm would end up causing great competition with all native bees and other insects, which could have a negative effect on wild pollinators.
We therefore believe that the commitment to integration between beekeeping and the generation of renewable energy should be aimed at more or less traditional beekeeping, if possible in an ecological way, that limits the number of hives per hectare and that involves comprehensive management of the farm that can benefit biodiversity.