Solar Farms Environmental Impact

How does solar power square against coal or hydro from an environmental standpoint

I’ve been a land use and environmental lawyer for over 15 years, and one of the most common questions my clients get when developing a large-scale project like a solar farm is, what will the environmental impact be?

It goes without saying that any development, no matter how “green,” will affect the environment to some degree.  The question under U.S. federal (and most states) law is whether there will be a significant adverse environmental impact.

Be assured that no large-scale project will be approved by a governmental agency until the impacts are identified, studied, analyzed and determined to have been mitigated to the greatest degree required under law.  Somewhat ironic is the fact that solar power plants have been under fire for their potential impacts recently — even though drawing on clean solar power will have an overall diminished impact on the environment compared to coal, natural gas, or even wind power!

Nonetheless, the fact that a clean energy project is proposed does not give it a free pass.  Solar adverse impact must still be assessed – and mitigated – before permits can be issued.

In the California Mojave Desert, thousands of acres of land would be directly impacted by proposed solar thermal energy plants.  And California is not alone.  The U.S. Bureau of Land Management reportedly has 31 solar projects in “fast track” review.  In addition, many states are pushing development of solar power plants with aggressive renewable energy standards and timelines, which means more projects will soon be in the works.

What is the impact of solar thermal power plants?

So, when it comes to solar farms, what types of environmental impacts can be expected?

First and foremost is the disruption of what might have been pristine property.  Obviously, construction is intensive, but even the fact of having large parabolic solar panels or mirrors taking up acres of land.  Migration routes and habitat of wildlife, flora and fauna could be displaced.

Often, new solar installation sites are graded, sprayed with weed control chemicals and shaded.  Each one of these steps will change the dynamics of the original function of the land with respect to plant and animal inhabitants.  Humans will be present on a more regular basis, likely driving to the site in vehicles and disposing of trash, etc. through maintenance and operation of the solar power plants.

Wondering about the impact of solar power plants?

Although each individual project is analyzed on a case-by-case basis, the general environmental impact of solar farms is under consideration by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).  The national laboratory is studying how prairie ecosystems are affected by the construction and operation of solar power plants.  From prairie dogs and grasses to birds of prey, a range of plants and wildlife are considered.  NREL is conducting a comparison between a developed site and one left untouched.

NREL Senior Biologist Brenda Beatty noted:

“The experiments will begin to give us a handle on how PV installations and operations affect vegetation in our portion of the arid West, and the information obtained may be useful for other NREL projects, and for revegetation efforts at other solar installations.”

Solar power is not the only target of the analysis at NREL.  The lab is also conducting research on how wind turbines and meteorological towers affect birds and bats.

In the end, however, be assured that no matter the perceived solar adverse impact, environmental issues will be vetted prior to the issuance of any permits.  Solar power plants definitely may affect the environment, but the alternative seems less green to me!

Tags: california mojave desert, significant adverse environmental impact, solar adverse impact, solar farms environmental impact, solar power plants, solar thermal energy plants, utility scale solar