EDF Renewables UK and Nature Positive have announced a pioneering long-term academic partnership with the University of Exeter’s Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI) to explore the ecological effects of solar farms at Longfield Solar Farm.

In an industry first, this collaboration aims to investigate the impacts of large-scale solar farms on soil health, fauna, wildlife habitats, and carbon flux. Researchers will utilize an experimental area of approximately 50 hectares within the site to test various management regimes, comparing areas with solar panels to undeveloped agricultural land. The study seeks to provide evidence on the potential for land under solar farms to generate net benefits for biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and soil quality.

Matthew Boulton, Director of Solar, Storage and Private Wire at EDF Renewables UK, emphasized the importance of the research, stating, “This research is critical to our commitment to balancing the creation of renewable energy with the protection of our important green spaces. We are thrilled to be partnering with the University of Exeter to make it happen. Having robust data will be invaluable for measuring the tried and tested biodiversity improvements we already make, while also informing future decision-making to maximize biodiversity improvements on each of our solar farms.”

In the same way, Jon Bennie, Director of Education and Student Experience at Exeter University, highlighted the significant opportunities solar farms present, noting, “If managed appropriately, solar farms can provide habitat for wildlife, enhance biodiversity, and maintain healthy soils and ecosystems. This long-term research will help us study the potential benefits and challenges involved in the construction and operation of solar farms, aiding management decisions to maximize environmental gains and minimize potential risks.”

Mark Lang from Nature Positive added, “While solar farms have become increasingly important in meeting the national need for renewable energy, the potential benefits they can have in improving biodiversity and providing other ecosystem services have been poorly understood. This research aims to contribute to the collective understanding of how solar farms can be effectively managed to enhance biodiversity, influencing current best practices in the rapidly growing solar industry.”

The research will begin later this year and span six years, allowing for comprehensive measurements before, during, and after development. The findings will contribute to a growing body of research highlighting the potential ecological benefits of solar farms and will inform industry best practices for managing solar farms to maximize biodiversity improvements.

Longfield Solar Farm, a new solar farm with battery storage in Essex, is capable of providing enough clean, secure energy to power up to 96,000 homes annually. Construction on the main site is expected to begin next year, with preliminary works already completed, including over six acres of advanced planting of new trees and hedgerows.

This groundbreaking partnership represents a significant step forward in understanding and optimizing the environmental benefits of solar farms, ensuring that renewable energy production goes hand-in-hand with ecological preservation.