In a groundbreaking move, EDF Renewables UK and Nature Positive have established a long-term academic partnership with the University of Exeter’s Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI).
Their mission? To investigate the ecological effects of solar farms, with a focus on the Longfield Solar Farm.
A Landmark Research Initiative
This collaboration marks the first step in what EDF Renewables UK envisions as a comprehensive research program.
It aims to explore the impacts of large-scale solar farms on various ecological factors, including soil health, wildlife populations, habitats, and carbon flux both within and surrounding the solar arrays.
Experimental Approach
An extensive 50-hectare area within the site will serve as a living laboratory, allowing researchers to experiment with different management strategies.
By comparing areas covered with solar panels to untouched agricultural land, the research will shed light on the potential of solar farms to create net positive outcomes for biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and soil quality.
Informing Sustainable Development
The research findings will play a pivotal role in shaping ecological initiatives at the Longfield Solar Farm, a state-of-the-art solar farm equipped with battery storage.
Located in Essex, this facility is projected to generate enough clean, reliable energy to power up to 96,000 homes annually. While some early construction has already begun, including the planting of over six acres of trees and hedgerows, the main construction phase is slated for the upcoming year.
Voices of the Partners
Matthew Boulton, Director of Solar, Storage, and Private Wire at EDF Renewables UK, emphasized the significance of this research in upholding their commitment to sustainable energy production while safeguarding the environment.
He expressed enthusiasm about partnering with the University of Exeter and the potential of robust data to validate existing biodiversity improvement practices and inform future decision-making for maximizing ecological benefits across their solar farms.
Jon Bennie, Director of Education and Student Experience at Exeter University, highlighted the potential of well-managed solar farms to provide valuable habitats, enhance biodiversity, and maintain healthy soils and ecosystems.
This long-term research endeavor, he explained, will allow for a comprehensive study of both the benefits and challenges associated with solar farm construction and operation, ultimately guiding management practices to amplify positive environmental outcomes and mitigate potential risks.
Mark Lang from Nature Positive pointed out that despite the increasing importance of solar farms in meeting renewable energy demands, their potential contributions to biodiversity enhancement and ecosystem services have remained largely unexplored.
He expressed optimism that this research would enhance the collective understanding of effective solar farm management for biodiversity enhancement, influencing industry best practices in this burgeoning sector.
Research Timeline and Anticipated Impact
Set to commence later this year, the research program is designed to span six years, allowing a part-time PhD student to collect data before, during, and after the solar farm’s development. The resulting findings will add to the growing body of evidence highlighting the potential ecological benefits of solar farms, informing industry-wide best practices for maximizing biodiversity improvements.