To reduce wildlife mortality during solar farm construction, several effective measures can be implemented:
Pre-Construction Planning
- Sensitive Site Selection: Avoid building solar farms in areas with high biodiversity or sensitive habitats. This includes avoiding locations known for migratory birds and diverse wildlife populations. Choose locations that have already been disturbed by human activity.
- Micro-Siting Techniques: Use precise siting methods to avoid sensitive areas like streams or wetlands within the property. Minimize the solar plant’s footprint to reduce environmental impacts.
Design Innovations
- Nature-Friendly Infrastructure: Design solar panels with non-reflective or bird-friendly materials to reduce avian collisions. Incorporate bird-safe features into solar infrastructure.
- Spatial Arrangement of Panels: Increase spacing between panels and set them higher above the ground to allow vegetation growth and reduce habitat fragmentation.
Construction Practices
- Low-Impact Construction: Implement low-impact construction methods to minimize soil erosion and compaction. Use underground electrical wiring when feasible.
- Seasonal Timing: Schedule construction activities outside sensitive breeding or nesting seasons to avoid disrupting wildlife critical life stages.
Wildlife Protection Measures
- Wildlife Corridors and Fencing: Include wildlife corridors and design perimeter fencing with openings (about 4-6 inches clearance) to allow small and medium-sized animals to pass through. This facilitates habitat connectivity and species mobility.
- Setback Distances: Establish setback distances and exclusion zones around sensitive habitats and breeding sites to protect priority species.
Vegetation Management
- Native Vegetation: Maintain or restore natural vegetation buffers around solar installations to provide habitat connectivity and support biodiversity. Native plants can help preserve habitats, support pollinators, and facilitate stormwater infiltration.
Monitoring and Training
- Wildlife Monitoring: Monitor wildlife use of the site, especially for sensitive species like the Mojave desert tortoise. Implement temporary relocation of sensitive species during construction if necessary.
- Staff Training: Provide staff with wildlife awareness training to minimize disturbance and impacts during construction and maintenance.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/what-are-the-most-effective-measures-to-reduce-wildlife-mortality-during-solar-farm-construction/
