Potential Interactions Between Birds And Floating Photovoltaic Solar Energy: Spatially Informed Species Vulnerabilities, Techno-Ecological Risks, And Sustainability Trade-Offs.

ABSTRACT: Floating photovoltaics (floating solar panels; FPV) can reduce the negative impacts of solar energy development in terrestrial environments, but their effects on freshwater ecosystems remain poorly understood. We examined potential FPV interactions with avian biodiversity, using previously modeled technical potential of FPV in the northeastern United States. We developed a vulnerability index based on avian species': (i) morphological traits, (ii) level of conservation concern, and (iii) habitat requirements. Using eBird participatory science data, we assessed the risk of FPV to 291 species of birds occurring at FPV-suitable waterbodies based on their vulnerability index and estimated relative abundance at each location. The greatest risk of FPVs to birds was associated with waterbodies ne

SUBMITTER: Binley AD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12810371 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature