The positive environmental impact of photovoltaic solar plants.

Every day we evaluate environmental impacts negative effects of photovoltaic solar plants (habitat loss, landscape impact, waste production, etc.)

We also know the positive environmental impact of photovoltaic solar plants and of renewable energy in general: generating jobs and producing clean and renewable energy, but... What do we know about other positive environmental impacts caused by photovoltaic solar plants?

The years that we have been participating in photovoltaic solar energy projects and especially those that are now being developed (of dimensions hitherto little seen) have allowed us to know some positive environmental impacts that we are now exposing towith all the caution that human action can cause in the environment.

Large areas free of herbicides and pesticides

The current new solar plants occupy large areas of the world. Land that, in the case of Spain, was previously dedicated to agriculture and where pesticides and herbicides will now be stopped being applied. It is expected that these products will be banned by means of Environmental Impact Statements or will be relegated to conflict areas where non-native plants could interfere with followers and reduce energy production, depending on each Autonomous Community and even each province.

Therefore, the positive environmental impact will be due to the drastic reduction in the use of these products harmful to entomofauna and that completely eliminate adventitious herbs (which serve as food and shelter for them). This will generate important benefits not only for these populations but also for those that feed on them (mainly birds and micromammals)

Possible new water points for wildlife

Apart from the drinking fountains and feeders that some compensatory measures require installation, the drainage works of many of the photovoltaic solar plants generate new structures, which, with due advice and care in their execution, can become interesting water points, more or less permanent for mammals and especially for amphibians with the consequent positive environmental impact.

Large areas without discomfort

Although during the execution phase of solar plants the presence of personnel and machinery is intense, very intense, after start-up, they are expected to operate almost autonomously, so the presence of personnel will be minimal, this presence being limited to minor maintenance and repairs. These under-frequented areas will not prevent the presence of mesomammals and birds in these areas.

In certain cases, it can improve the permeability of fauna

Although the permeability of fauna is reduced for certain species (especially large mammals and birds) after the installation of a solar plant, the installation of a photovoltaic solar plant in areas that were already fenced with non-hunting enclosures will improve the permeability of the territory. This improvement occurs when completely waterproof fences are replaced by new hunting fences, which in many cases have visual deterrents to prevent unwanted collisions.

This is a chapter that truly seems to have been overcome, and the mistakes of the past are not repeated, as we said in our post. The 6 mistakes we will no longer make in the Environmental Assessment of photovoltaic solar plants

Increase in shelter areas

The experience in the environmental monitoring of photovoltaic solar plants has allowed us to verify that the number of small shelters or nests in supports of the installation increases exponentially for ubiquitous species. This, together with the conditions of tranquility prevailing in the area of implantation described above, allow the existence of species such as lagomorphs, passerines, etc. that can serve as food for others (raptors, mesomammals, etc.)

Compensatory measures

Although they deserve a separate chapter that we promise to address, compensatory measures also favor (or rather compensate) the environment in which they are executed. The exhaustive environmental studies that we have been doing for years (see The secret is in the dough... or in a good environmental inventory) allow us to know more rigorously the needs of the species in the area and, therefore, how to correct the impact on them and improve their habitats. Although much progress has been made in the establishment of compensatory measures, we see a need for alignment both in the quantification and in the establishment of them by administrations, promoters, and consultants.