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Can Solar Energy Fuel Pollinator Conservation?
Environmental Entomology
  • Adam G. Dolezal, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Jacob Torres, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Matthew E. O'Neal, Iowa State University
Document Type
Article
Publication Version
Published Version
Publication Date
1-1-2021
DOI
10.1093/ee/nvab041
Abstract

As the expansion of solar power spreads through much of the United States, members of the solar industry are working to change how solar energy facilities are designed and presented to the public. This includes the addition of habitat to conserve pollinators. We highlight and discuss ongoing efforts to couple solar energy production with pollinator conservation, noting recent legal definitions of these practices. We summarize key studies from the field of ecology, bee conservation, and our experience working with members of the solar industry (e.g., contribution to legislation defining solar pollinator habitat). Several recently published studies that employed similar practices to those proposed for solar developments reveal features that should be replicated and encouraged by the industry. These results suggest the addition of native, perennial flowering vegetation will promote wild bee conservation and more sustainable honey beekeeping. Going forward, there is a need for oversight and future research to avoid the misapplication of this promising but as of yet untested practice of coupling solar energy production with pollinator-friendly habitat. We conclude with best practices for the implementation of these additions to realize conservation and agricultural benefits.

Comments

This article is published as Dolezal, Adam G., Jacob Torres, and Matthew E. O’Neal. "Can Solar Energy Fuel Pollinator Conservation?." Environmental Entomology (2021). doi:10.1093/ee/nvab041.

Creative Commons License
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Copyright Owner
The Author(s)
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Citation Information
Adam G. Dolezal, Jacob Torres and Matthew E. O'Neal. "Can Solar Energy Fuel Pollinator Conservation?" Environmental Entomology (2021)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/matthew_oneal/231/