Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline.Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline.
Solar projects do not inherently reduce biodiversity, and when designed with best practices, they can sustain or even increase local wildlife and plant diversity.
Impacts depend on where and how projects are built.
Siting solar on already developed land and minimizing soil disturbance can maintain habitats and support more diverse vegetation, insects, and birds. Solar farms can create “microclimates” where shade under panels reduces soil moisture loss and encourages plant growth. This may be especially valuable in regions currently experiencing hotter, drier conditions.
Developers can further reduce harm by avoiding bulldozing, leaving habitat patches, and building wildlife corridors within a site. Construction timing can also be adjusted to avoid sensitive periods such as breeding or migration.
After installation, habitat restoration efforts like planting native flowering species can boost floral diversity and pollinator populations, benefiting overall ecosystems and human agriculture.
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This fact brief is responsive to quotes such as this one.
Sources
Clarkson & Woods and Wychwood Biodiversity THE EFFECTS OF SOLAR FARMS ON LOCAL BIODIVERSITY: A COMPARATIVE STUDY
International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Mitigating biodiversity impacts associated with solar and wind energy development
U.S. Department of Agriculture Pollinator Habitat Planting: CP42
U.S. Department of Energy Buzzing Around Solar: Pollinator Habitat Under Solar Arrays
Columbia Law School Sabin Center for Climate Change Law Rebutting 33 False Claims About Solar, Wind, and Electric Vehicles
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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer "yes/no" answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact — a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all of our published fact briefs here.
Posted by Sue Bin Park on Tuesday, 3 February, 2026
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