Combining Solar and Biodiversity for a Greener Future
We’ve improved the native vegetation and biodiversity surrounding a number of our US-based projects by establishing pollinator fields, supporting new animal habitats, and investing in soil and water programs.
Our commitment to delivering innovative solutions is grounded in measurement, methodology, and the application of learnings.
Through our development planning process we have aligned to the University of Massachusetts’ Pollinator Research with the goal of improving bee health created an opportunity to integrate their innovative approach to our sites in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and beyond.
The University of Massachusetts offers a Pollinator-Friendly Solar PV Certification Program developed by Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) in consultation with state and federal agencies and subject experts. We have obtained the Silver Pollinator level of certification for our Massachusetts sites.
Dual-Use Agriculture
When our solar projects border local farms, pollinator fields can also provide grazing areas for livestock such as cows and sheep. The sheep benefit from a healthy diet and they naturally manage grass growth which reduces mowing requirements and wildlife disturbances.
Detailed Environmental Studies
As an energy transition leader with a strong commitment to the environment, our biodiversity efforts begin long before the first solar panel or battery is installed. We place significant emphasis on conducting detailed environmental studies during the initial stages of development. With solar farms having significant physical footprints, correctly assessing their potential impacts has become pivotal in securing community and government support.
Affordable clean energy should not have to come at the expense of the environment
PureSky Energy is working to build a more sustainable future. Our community solar gardens provide clean energy to our host communities, helping households offset their energy bills with a smaller environmental impact than a coal-fired or gas-burning power plant.
Together with our host communities, PureSky carefully designs each solar garden to mitigate its social and environmental impacts, including but not limited to:
- Application of anti-glare coating to our solar panels
- Collaboration with community to reduce visual impact of each project site
- Full compliance with ecological and archeological surveys
- Screen each site using state and federal tools to check for the presence of endangered species, and;
- Bi-monthly site monitoring by biologists where an endangered or sensitive species is present
- Planting vegetation throughout the footprint of the solar garden, usually with native grass mixes and often with pollinator-supportive grasses
- Installation of wildlife-friendly fencing around solar gardens
We’re always on the lookout for opportunities to make our projects even more environmentally friendly, such as establishing apiaries, bat boxes, or other animal habitats.
Case Study: Pollinator Support in Massachusetts
The University of Massachusetts offers a Pollinator-Friendly Solar PV Certification Program developed by Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) in consultation with state and federal agencies and subject experts.
PureSky Energy is invested in ensuring a healthy and stable population of bees and other critical pollinator species. We have successfully obtained the Silver Pollinator level of certifications for all of our community solar gardens in Massachusetts by applying the innovative UM pollinator research and best practices, such as:
- Native grasses throughout the solar garden
- Wildflower-dominate plantings throughout the solar garden perimeter
- Wildlife-friendly fencing
- Nesting sites for bees