Developing and managing solar farms to benefit soils

Carvalho, Fabio and Armstrong, Alona (2025) Developing and managing solar farms to benefit soils. UNSPECIFIED.

Abstract

Solar energy, especially in the form of ground-mounted solar farms, is playing an important role in decarbonising the UK electricity supply to meet Net Zero targets. However, consideration must be given to the impact solar farms may have on soils to maximise benefits and mitigate negative effects. Our most recent analyses [link] are some of the first to demonstrate solar farm impacts on soils across a range of sites in England and Wales, offering important insights into how to manage solar farms for carbon storage and overall soil health.