{"id":296703,"date":"2023-08-23T22:46:57","date_gmt":"2023-08-23T22:46:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/?page_id=296703"},"modified":"2025-05-01T18:19:32","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T18:19:32","slug":"research-and-monitoring","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/lightsourcebp.staging.1int.co.uk\/us\/responsible-solar\/environment\/research-and-monitoring\/","title":{"rendered":"Research and monitoring at our solar farms"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Environmental research and monitoring <\/h1>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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Solar farm, living laboratory: Participating in academic research<\/span><\/span> at our solar farms<\/span><\/h3>\n

In recent years, the environmental management of solar farms has become an exciting area of academic research. Several <\/span>Lightsource<\/span> bp projects are <\/span>participating<\/span> in studies examining the ecology and economics of utility-scale solar<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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Study: Solar and sheep create mutual benefits <\/h5>\n <\/a>\n

Research results from Nittany 1<\/p>\n

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Researching the benefits of pollinator conservation at Bellflower Solar<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n

Advancing research on pollinator habitat at solar facilities is essential for understanding the benefits of co-located conservation, as well as practical implementation strategies. The Pollinator Habitat Aligned with Solar Energy (PHASE) study, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technology Office (SETO), will measure ecological benefits of varying types of pollinator habitat at utility- scale solar projects across the Midwest, including Bellflower, in addition to photovoltaic performance and costs. <\/p>\n

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Research at Lightsource bp’s Nittany Solar projects in Pennsylvania<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n

In recent years, the environmental management of solar farms has become an exciting area of academic research, to assess how different practices affect the productivity of solar and agricultural enterprises and the land on which they operate. Two studies seeking to answer research questions around these topics are currently underway at Lightsource bp\u2019s Nittany 1, 2 and 3 solar projects in Pennsylvania. <\/p>\n

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Monitoring long-term soil health improvements<\/h3>\n

We aim to create a healthy, resilient and full cover of plant species over the ground at our solar farms. We use agronomic science to choose seed mixes that improve soil quality, stability and water holding capacity.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When selecting plants for our solar facilities, we consider carbon capture potential as well. We choose deep rooted plants to transfer atmospheric carbon into the soil, along with partner species, such as nitrogen fixing plants to support them. When the root systems decompose, they become carbon-rich soil, which can remain underground for thousands of years. In this way, solar farms can act as \u201ccarbon sinks,\u201d sequestering atmospheric CO2 underground. We are conducting soil testing at several of our US solar projects to measure change in soil carbon over time.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

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Soil carbon sequestration and monitoring in Colorado<\/h4>\n

At two projects in Pueblo, Colorado, the Lightsource bp team is taking steps beyond clean energy generation with an innovative Land Management and Biodiversity Plan. In addition to providing emissions-free energy<\/span>, the sites will serve as a biodiversity haven and carbon \u201csink,\u201d pumping CO2 from the air into the soil and vegetation on-site.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Soil samples\u00a0have been collected\u00a0to\u00a0establish\u00a0baseline soil carbon. Future sampling will determine the total amount of soil carbon increase over time, due to reestablishment of shortgrass prairie habitat.\u00a0We\u00a0predict that\u00a0carbon storage in the site\u2019s soil will increase about 17% over the project\u2019s life.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n

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Learn more about our Responsible Solar approach to environmental sustainability<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Environment<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n

Learn how we're maximizing the environmental sustainability of our solar projects <\/p>\n

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Agrivoltaics<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n

Learn how we're integrating agriculture onto solar farms. <\/p>\n

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Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n

Learn about our commitment to increasing biodiversity at each of our solar projects<\/p>\n

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