Abstract
Photovoltaic solar energy installation is booming, frequently near agricultural lands. Traditionally, the land underneath ground-mounted photovoltaic panels is unused, though some are repurposing it as habitat for pollinating insects. However, the impact of the solar panel canopy on the pollinator-plant community understory is unknown. In this study (Graham et al., 2020), we investigated the effects of solar arrays on plant composition, bloom timing and foraging behavior of pollinators in open fields (control), and in full shade and partial shade areas under solar panels in a predominant agricultural region of southern Oregon. Pollinating insect specimens were collected using hand nets, and identified to the lowest taxonomic group possible by M. Graham, A.R. Moldenke, and L.R. Best. A total of 85 voucher specimens were deposited into the Oregon State Arthropod Collection; accession record: OSAC_AC_2021_03_11_001-01.
Highlights
Photovoltaic solar energy installation is booming, frequently near agricultural lands
Surveys occurred at 3 distinct locations throughout the solar facility
We pinned, sexed, and identified bee specimens to genus using keys produced for the CAMPOLIN bee course (2012) and Michener et al, 2007
Summary
Photovoltaic solar energy installation is booming, frequently near agricultural lands. During the summer of 2019, we inventoried pollinating insects at the Eagle Point Solar Plant, a commercial solar facility in Jackson County, Oregon, as part of a study on plant-pollinator interactions in agrivoltaic systems (Graham et al, 2020). We sampled 458 insects using hand nets. Surveys lasted 30 minutes, spanned a 100m2 area, and were repeated eight times from May to September at approximately 2 week intervals.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
