In New England, a pioneering guide is poised to revolutionize the integration of solar farms into the landscape, prioritizing biodiversity enhancement and regenerative farming practices alongside renewable energy production.
Named the Building Better Biodiversity on Solar Farms Guide, this innovative resource offers strategies and tools to promote nature restoration and incorporate regenerative farming methods while harnessing solar energy.
Co-authored by Heidi McElnea, Regional Coordinator at Community Power Agency, the guide underscores the potential for solar farm projects to enhance biodiversity while maintaining solar generation capacity.
McElnea emphasized the importance of considering shared land use during renewable energy development, highlighting collaboration with local First Nations ranger groups and the adoption of holistic land management practices.
Tailored to the unique ecosystem of the New England Tableland bioregion in northern NSW, the guide presents principles applicable nationwide.
Co-author David Carr, Founder and Director of Stringybark Ecological, stressed that well-designed solar farms can achieve a net gain in biodiversity, emphasizing the need to integrate biodiversity considerations from the project’s inception.
Dr. Eric Nordberg from the University of New England, a researcher in conservoltaics, contributed insights to the guide, observing that solar farms can serve as hubs for biodiversity enhancement, providing essential shelter and habitat for diverse species.
Funded by The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal, the guide will launch in collaboration with Glen Innes Natural Resources Advisory Committee and Southern New England Landcare.
The launch event, scheduled for May 15, 2024, at the Glen Innes Service Club, will feature presentations from the co-authors and a Q&A session with industry experts.
The guide’s release addresses the pressing challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss in Australia.
By promoting biodiversity enhancement and regenerative farming practices, solar farms can contribute significantly to environmental sustainability while supporting renewable energy production.