The impact of photovoltaic panel reflection on birds

How do solar panels affect wildlife?

The vast expanses of solar facilities (also known as 'solar parks' or 'solar farms') have unique impacts on fauna that we are only just beginning to identify. The reflective surfaces of solar panels can attract insects (e.g., [, ]), providing new feeding opportunities for bird and bat species (e.g., [, , , ]).

Are bird droppings a contaminant in solar panels?

Indirect evidence of bird presence is often presented in the engineering literature, where designs for solar panel cleaning devices often cite bird droppings as a contaminant. xii. Solar panels have the capacity to reflect polarised light which can attract polarotactic insects, which has the potential to impact their reproductive biology.

Do solar panels attract insects and birds?

Novel habitat and foraging resources at solar facilities attract insect and bird species. Wildlife community composition reflects increases in species richness and abundance. Generalist species benefit. Insects and waterbirds are attracted to polarised light reflections from solar panels.

Are birds and bats affected by solar PV developments?

As such, this review will focus on utility scale solar PV developments. iv. Birds and bats have been identified by Natural England as the taxa most urgently requiring an evidence base for potential impacts relating to solar PV developments. The focus of this review will be on these taxa, however general ecological impacts will also be considered.