Evidence review of the impact of solar farms on birds, bats and general ecology 2016 (NEER012)

The review aimed to gather and synthesise evidence from the scientific and grey literature in order to provide a comprehensive and cohesive report on current thinking towards the potential ecological impacts of solar PV developments. Special emphasis was given to the taxa Aves (birds) and Chiroptera (bats). Gaps in the literature were identified and suggestions were made for future research needs. In addition, planning applications and decisions for solar PV developments in the north west of England were reviewed in an attempt to identify reasons for the refusal of planning permission by local authorities, reflecting perceived negative impacts of solar PV determined whether the reasons were ecologically based.