Tag Archive for: Pollinators

Impacts of Management at a Local and Landscape Scale on Pollinators in Semi-Natural Grasslands

This research article tested whether insect pollinators are affected at local scale by a results-based scheme scored based on plant indicators, or if landscape management is more important, and whether there were different responses between taxon-specific groups.

The study revealed that agrisolar project management should consider a range of different management measures and landscape-scale approaches where
possible, to maximize benefits for a range of pollinators, including bumble bees, hoverflies and butterflies.

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Procurement and Pollinator-Friendly Solar Fresh Energy Resource

This resource highlights how solar companies can provision pollinator-friendly solar through a company’s standard procurement process and provides purchase agreement language for pollinator and agriculturally friendly solar. The report provides details for planning consideration for the land under and around solar energy developments which is often overlooked. Addressing the details associated with this concern will aid in addressing climate and biodiversity crisis concurrently.

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Pollinator-Focused Solar: Observations of Plant-Pollinator Interactions in the Agrivoltaic Understory

This paper presents a case study of plant-pollinator interactions at a solar energy generation site in southwestern Oregon, a water-limited, dryland ecosystem. The study focuses on plant-pollinator interactions at a solar-energy generation site in southwestern Oregon, a water-limited, dryland ecosystem.

The results of this study show that this data can inform agriculture and pollinator health advocates as they seek land for pollinator-habitat restoration in target areas, as well as local solar developers and homeowners deciding how to manage land beneath solar arrays.

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Pollinator Friendly Solar Scorecard

This document includes entomologist-approved standards for the managed landscape of a solar PV facility to be considered “beneficial to pollinators.” The scorecard includes the following options for entering data: site planning and management, seed mixes, insecticide risk and outreach education, among others.

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Pollinator Habitat Establishment and Management Guide

This Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund guide outlines the steps that go into planning, preparing, planting, and maintaining pollinator habitat. This guide outlines best practices for achieving high-quality pollinator habitat through proper planning, preparing, maintaining and planting. The guide also covers what has happened to pollinator habitat in recent years and why it has declined, as well as covering why these methods and processes are especially crucial for establishing healthy bee populations on agrivoltaic sites.

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Partial Shading by Solar Panels Delays Bloom, Increases Floral Abundance During the Late‑Season for Pollinators in a Dryland, Agrivoltaic Ecosystem

This report investigates the effects of solar arrays on plant composition, bloom timing and foraging behavior of pollinators from June to September (after peak bloom) in full shade plots and partial shade plots under solar panels as well as in full sun plots (controls) outside of the solar panels. The report shows the results of studying various shade plots and their affect on pollinating insects and their ability to achieve a late-season forage. This late-season foraging behavior is especially crucial for certain pollinating insects in water-limited environments.

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Overview of Pollinator-Friendly Solar Energy

This report provides a summary of Fresh Energy’s key considerations related to pollinator-friendly solar. The report includes considerations for the development of agrisolar operations, including: design, construction, maintenance, pollinator basics and a business case for pollinator-friendly solar. Included within these topics are discussions and considerations for ground-mounted utility solar, hosting honey bees on solar farms, adding solar to dairy land and required vegetation for solar RPFs at Xcel Energy.

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Opportunities to Enhance Pollinator Biodiversity in Solar Parks

With a focus on north-west Europe, this paper systematically reviews the available evidence on how land management practices relevant to solar parks can enhance pollinator biodiversity. The methods in this research systematically review all of the available evidence on land-management practices in northwest Europe and their impacts on pollinator biodiversity.

The assessment provides information relating to improving solar park management for pollinators by providing foraging and reproductive resources, undergoing considered management practices, increasing landscape heterogeneity and connectivity, and providing microclimatic variation.

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Establishment and Maintenance of Pollinator-Friendly Solar Projects

This technical guide serves as a starting point for the establishment and management of pollinator-friendly ground cover at ground-mounted solar photovoltaic arrays. This guide is intended to serve as a resource in understanding pollinator-friendly solar components and identify organizations,vendors, and experts who can provide more site-specific guidance. Also provided here are general guides for seed-mix development, planting layout and maintenance of pollinator-friendly vegetation to be used in agrivoltaic systems.

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Fact Sheet: Native Vegetation and Solar Projects in South Dakota

This fact sheet provides tips, facts, and guidance on a variety of agrivoltaic-related practices for solar projects and native vegetation in South Dakota. The fact sheet includes information on how to add product value, planning, cost, seeding, management, and construction. The resource also provides examples of native seed mixes for the region of South Dakota.

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