Floating Solar Farm in Netherlands May Boost Biodiversity, Study Finds

A floating solar farm in the Netherlands may be doing more than just producing clean electricity. Scientists say they heard bird sounds coming from beneath the solar panels, a possibility that birds could be nesting under the structure. The finding comes from a study by researchers that looked at how floating solar farms affect local wildlife. As part of the study, researchers found that underwater shelters installed below the panels attracted hundreds of fish and thousands of small aquatic creatures over three years. The results suggest that, with the right design, floating solar farms could support biodiversity instead of harming local ecosystems.

The research focused on the Bomhofsplas Solar Farm, a floating solar project built on a lake in the Netherlands. Between 2020 and 2023, researchers installed 20 underwater "Biohuts", cage-like structures beneath different parts of the solar farm, designed to provide shelter and food for small fish while helping scientists understand how floating solar farms affect aquatic ecosystems. By the end of the study, the Biohuts had attracted more than 400 fish and nearly 2,000 invertebrates, including mussels and sponges. Researchers said the structures gradually developed into small ecosystems that supported life higher up the food chain.

The study also found signs that birds may be using the floating solar farm. In a 2021 paper published in the journal Sustainability, researchers reported hearing bird sounds beneath the solar panels, suggesting that nests could be present under the floating structures. Researchers believe the latest findings show that carefully designed floating solar farms could reduce some of those impacts while creating new habitats for wildlife. Besides supporting wildlife, floating solar panels also provide shade that can help reduce water evaporation. The water below also naturally cools the panels, which can improve their performance.