We’re proud to see the publication of Solar Farms & Skylarks, a new Solar Energy UK guidance document authored by our Technical Director, Howard Fearn.

The paper brings together the latest ecological evidence, planning policy and industry experience relating to Skylarks and solar farm development, helping to inform one of the most frequently debated topics in renewable energy planning.

For Avian Ecology, this is particularly significant. As a consultancy founded on specialist ornithological expertise, it’s fantastic to see our work contributing to guidance for the wider solar industry, planning authorities and environmental professionals.

One of the key themes of the paper is the need for a proportionate, evidence-led approach to Skylark mitigation. While acknowledging that solar developments can displace breeding Skylarks from nesting within panel arrays, the paper highlights that mitigation should focus on maintaining and enhancing populations at an ecologically meaningful scale, rather than relying on simplistic pair-for-pair replacement approaches. It also recognises the wider biodiversity benefits that well-designed and appropriately managed solar farms can deliver through habitat creation, improved foraging opportunities and long-term ecological enhancement.

Importantly, the publication has been supported by the RSPB and has benefited from peer review by a range of respected organisations and specialists from across the ecology, conservation and renewable energy sectors.

Congratulations to Howard on producing such an important piece of work, and thank you to Solar Energy UK and all those who contributed to its development.

The full paper can be found here Solar Farms and Skylarks • Solar Energy UK