Ecovoltaics: Synergies between solar development and dryland restoration
About the project
Ecovoltaics is a sustainable approach to solar energy development that integrates ecological considerations into the design and management of solar farms. We are working with communities and solar companies to explore opportunities to sustain solar productivity while harnessing solar arrays to promote plant and soil restoration in dryland ecosystems.
Major questions
How do microclimates produced under solar arrays affect recruitment of dryland plant and soil communities?
How do ecovoltaic strategies affect ecosystem services (e.g., soil stability and pollinator resources)?
Can we design ecovoltaic treatments that balance ecosystem health with solar production?
Field Photos
What we’re testing
Effects of microclimate on seedling and biocrust recruitment
What dryland plants are most successful under solar panels? How does microclimate affect plant and biocrust development?
Effects of plants on surface reflectivity
We are testing low-stature, shade tolerant plants with high surface reflectivity to promote productivity of bifacial solar panels.
Tradeoffs
Exploring how we can best optimize treatment combinations that promote plant recruitment and soil health, ecosystem services, and solar productivity.
Collaborators
Pivot Energy
Kyle Hockstad, Bradley Thomas
CSU
Retta Bruegger, Emily Lockard, Alan Knapp
DEML Team Members
Mary Van Dyke
Postdoctoral Scholar