Page 379 - A Comprehensive Guide to Solar Energy Systems

386 A COmPrEhEnSIVE GuIdE TO SOLAr EnErGy SySTEmS

FIGURE 19.10 Sheep grazing below solar panels, Dorset UK. Photo: K. Harris (all rights reserved).

Whether these changes are beneficial or detrimental will also vary with location, there
may be significant threats to local populations of rare or endangered species, or in con-
trast, there may be opportunities to grow food crops that cannot tolerate open sunlight.
The likely effects on the ecology of the site should be investigated as far as possible during
the design process and appropriate mitigation measures included for ecological benefits.
monitoring of the site after construction is also important to increase our understanding
of how ecosystems react.
The effects of solar panels on birds is an area of ongoing research and is of concern
where extensive arrays of panels can be mistaken for open water by migrating birds. Bird
deaths due to impact with solar panels are a real problem for some species where rest-
ing places on long journeys are critical to survival. understanding the routes and vulner-
abilities of passing bird populations is important to reduce the potential consequences for
birds.
Solar farms can affect sites of cultural or archaeological significance, both directly
through construction and indirectly by affecting the setting of the asset. modern panels
can be seen as an intrusion upon the historic setting of cultural heritage features, particu-
larly where they affect key views to or from the asset or affect the ability of the viewer to un-
derstand the location of the asset for its historical purpose. Examples may be where a solar
farm would intrude on a vista in a historic designed landscape or affect the appreciation