What’s the ‘Buzz’ with Solar Farms and Pollinators?
- Emma Thompson
- Jun 18
- 3 min read
Solar energy benefits the environment, and it’s even more impactful when paired with habitats that support pollinators and boost biodiversity. Planting native vegetation beneath and around solar arrays creates an essential habitat for pollinators like monarch butterflies and honeybees. Beyond boosting biodiversity, integrating pollinator-friendly habitats into solar projects can also enhance soil health, solar operations, and maintenance in multiple ways.
Co-locating pollinators and solar farms is a popular practice worldwide, although it is particularly popular in the United States. With thoughtful planning, solar developments can positively impact the environment and nearby communities beyond just clean energy generation.
With solar projects expected to last 20 to 30 years, decisions made now about siting and land management will shape environmental outcomes for decades to come. Pollinator-friendly practices can also improve solar project performance and reduce long-term maintenance needs. Deciding to implement pollinator-friendly habitats when a solar array is in the planning and permitting process is a win for pollinators, a win for soil health, a win for developing agencies' pockets, and a win for local biodiversity.
Pollinators are responsible for bringing U.S. consumers one out of every three bites of food. Birds, bats, bees, butterflies, beetles, and other small mammals that pollinate plants are considered to be pollinators. Pollinators are the small, unsung heroes of our agricultural processes. Pollinating animals play a vital role in transferring pollen between flowering plants, enabling their reproduction. These plants provide essential fruits, vegetables, and nuts, supply half of the world’s oils and raw materials, help prevent soil erosion, and support carbon sequestration. Approximately 75-95% of the world's flowering plants and crops, 180,000 different plant species, and more than 1,200 crops rely on pollinators to help with pollination. Without pollinators, the agricultural economy, food supply, and landscape would be in ruins.
We have proof of how pollinator-friendly solar habitats benefit everyone right here in Good Steward Consulting's home of southern Minnesota. From 2018 to 2022, an ecologist from the Argonne National Laboratory, Leroy J. Walston, and his colleagues visited and studied two local solar arrays that covered dozens of acres. The Argonne National Laboratory observed, recorded, and tracked the number and species of pollinators that flocked to the solar fields, as well as the vegetation that was located below the solar panels. Walston and his colleagues discovered that the pollinator population had boomed amongst the solar fields. Within the four years of the study, they witnessed the population of native bees increase by 2,000%, while monarch butterflies also saw an increase in growth. By adopting the use of native vegetation under solar panels in an array, solar developers are uniquely positioned to bolster biodiversity and strengthen pollinator populations.
However, you don’t need to be at the forefront of a solar project to help pollinators thrive. This week (June 16-25, 2025) is National Pollinator Week, and there are some things you can do at home to lend a helping hand to our little buzzing friends.
Support local bees and beekeepers – buy locally sourced honey.
Plant for pollinators – use plants that are native and non-invasive.
Use pesticides sparingly and correctly – read and follow all directions carefully.
Conserve your resources – pollinators are heavily impacted by our changing climate, so help out by doing your part in protecting our environment.
Inform others – share this and other pollinator-friendly resources during Pollinator Week and throughout the year!
By combining the power of clean energy with pollinator-friendly practices, we have an opportunity to create a more sustainable and resilient future. Pollinator habitats beneath solar panels represent a smart, science-backed solution that delivers environmental, agricultural, and operational benefits. As we celebrate National Pollinator Week, let’s recognize the critical role pollinators play in our lives and take action to protect them. Whether through supporting pollinator-friendly solar projects, planting native species in your backyard, or simply spreading the word, every effort counts. Together, we can build landscapes that work for both people and pollinators.
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The piece is informative and optimistic, backed by research and real-world examples. I like that it gives ways to help our bee population and informs us of National Pollinator Week!