An Analysis of Bird Fatalities at Alberta Solar Facilities, in the Context of the Lake Effect Hypothesis

Renewable energy is a growing industry, and interest in the development of solar energy generation has increased to accommodate the demand for clean energy generation. While solar farms provide a demonstrated positive influence on the environment, there remains some uncertainty regarding potential negative impacts of solar farms to wildlife. These potential effects can be realized as direct impacts, such as collisions with solar panel infrastructure, or indirect impacts, thought habitat loss, fragmentation, or displacement. Post-construction monitoring protocols at solar facilities in Alberta have been implemented at all new solar facilities, to assess the impact of solar projects on birds. This project explores the potential direct effects of solar farms on birds, including collisions and stranding, in the context of the “lake effect” hypothesis and whether fatality data supports this hypothesis in Alberta. Recent fatality data from Alberta solar farms will be analyzed for species composition, seasonality, proximity to landscape features, and individual fatality observations that have been documented in the field. This data will be considered against what has been hypothesized about the lake effect, will increase local knowledge relating to the potential realization of the lake effect in Alberta, will contribute to the knowledge within the renewable energy industry, and ultimately support the ongoing minimization of impacts of clean energy generation on wildlife.