The Renewable Energy Wildlife Research Fund is excited to announce its first three solar projects, launching in 2022. These new scientific studies will help answer questions and support the solar industry to scale up at unprecedented levels with the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. Expanding scientific knowledge is essential to accelerating the clean energy transition and protecting vital wildlife and ecosystems as climate and conservation solutions move forward.
- Wildlife Abundance and Use of Utility-Scale Solar Facilities in Agricultural Environments: The research team is developing a study design for a prospective project to better understand the effects of utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) solar energy development on bird communities in the midwestern United States. The Fund will determine whether to move forward with the full study upon completion of the study design.
- Soil Health Impacts of Solar PV Installation and Agri-Voltaic Practice on Agricultural Land: The conversion of agricultural land into utility-scale PV solar energy facilities has raised important questions about its ecological effects. This study investigates the effects of this land conversion and on-site vegetation management practices on soil health and ecosystem function.
- Greater Sage-Grouse Use of a Solar Energy Facility in Southwest Wyoming: Development of PV solar energy facilities in greater sage-grouse habitat presents uncertainty for developers and wildlife managers as sage-grouse responses to PV solar facilities are largely unknown. The study provides a unique opportunity to further examine how sage-grouse use a landscape containing solar facilities.
The Fund is also supporting 12 ongoing wind/wildlife research projects. Further information regarding those projects can be found on the Fund’s webpage.
Contact Will Vesely for questions/more details.