Wildlife faces new challenges with large-scale solar energy projects
Researchers are studying how utility-scale solar developments in New Mexico impact pronghorn and other wildlife to find ways to mitigate negative effects.
Sarah Tory reports for High Country News.
In short:
- Wildlife researchers are capturing and collaring pronghorn in New Mexico to track their movements and study the effects of large-scale solar projects.
- Solar development is expanding in the Four Corners region, often overlapping with wildlife migration corridors, but data on its impact on large mammals is scarce.
- The study aims to inform future solar projects to ensure they are developed with minimal harm to local wildlife populations.
Key quote:
“We can’t make the same mistakes over and over again with our policies. I just felt like we were doing that by saying, ‘We’ll figure it out later; all that matters is we get green energy.”
— Aaron Facka, senior wildlife biologist at Wildlands Network
Why this matters:
Solar farms, with their extensive fencing and altered landscapes, can disrupt migration routes and access to vital resources. Researchers are meticulously studying these impacts to devise strategies that could help mitigate the negative effects on pronghorns and other wildlife. Early findings suggest that simple adjustments, such as wildlife-friendly fencing and strategic placement of solar arrays, could make a significant difference.
