Is it possible to embed the ecosystem impacts of solar parks into industry practice?

Treasure, Lucy and Armstrong, Alona and Sharp, Stuart and Smart, Simon and Parker, Guy (2025) Is it possible to embed the ecosystem impacts of solar parks into industry practice? PhD thesis, Lancaster University.

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Abstract

Deployment of ground-mounted photovoltaic solar parks (SPs) is increasing at pace to meet decarbonisation targets in the context of the global climate crisis. Yet there is growing evidence of an altered microclimate at SPs, with implications for key stocks of natural capital and the flow of ecosystem services (ES). Further, there is scope for SPs to promote a range of ES, including carbon sequestration, pollination regulation and food provision, yet global quantitative data on the impacts of SPs are lacking. In this context, this thesis uses results from a systematic evidence review and field experiments to synthesise scientific evidence on the environmental impacts of SPs, derive implications for ES, and assess the impact of SPs on soil health, vegetation productivity and nutritive value for livestock. Results show that SPs may have wide ranging and varied impacts on ES, the nature and magnitude of which varies with climate, ecosystem type and SP development stage. Field-data demonstrate a general reduction in soil health within SPs, with lower soil carbon, organic matter and microbial biomass under solar panels compared to gaps between arrays, highlighting the need for site management focused on soil health enhancement. Likewise, results suggest that the productivity and nutritive value of vegetation may vary within SPs, particularly the cover, energy, fibre and mineral concentrations, with potential implications for grazing livestock within agrivoltaic systems. Throughout, this thesis emphasises the importance of factors including local climate, prior land cover and on-site management aims and decisions on the impacts of SPs on the hosting ecosystem. As the alternative land use in the UK is generally low-grade agricultural land, targeted management may enhance ES against this baseline. Given the rapid deployment of SPs globally, future research must be contextualised through these factors, to accurately inform policy and practice and facilitate energy and environment co-benefits.