Source · Select Committees · Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
Recommendation 28
28
Acknowledged
Well-planned and managed solar farms can substantially increase biodiversity and create varied habitats.
Conclusion
Scientific evidence presented to us shows that, if well-planned and well- managed specifically to benefit nature, solar farms can increase biodiversity by creating mixed habitats for birds and other wildlife. (Conclusion, Paragraph 78)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the committee's finding, agreeing that well-designed and managed solar farms can improve biodiversity, especially on agricultural land, and support a range of ecosystem services.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Government recognises that, in some instances, solar projects can affect the local environment, wildlife, and biodiversity. It is important that the government can strike the right balance between these considerations and securing a clean, green energy system for the future. That is why the planning system is designed to take account of these issues. However, we agree that there is evidence that solar can improve biodiversity especially where it is installed on agricultural land. In some cases, these biodiversity benefits, including increases in the number of pollinators, can also lead to increased productivity on adjacent agricultural land.4 Well-designed and well managed solar farms can support a range of ecosystem services including agriculture (sheep grazing, supporting pollinators species), regulate air quality, mitigate flood risk, create new habitats and reduce carbon emissions. This is why organisations such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) have expressed their support for solar farms.5