Going green takes on even more meaning when solar panels are installed in pollinator gardens. As the nation's energy needs necessitate more distributed energy resources, potentially requiring millions of additional acres of land, research is focused on greening under and around solar power systems.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is leading the study of pollinator-friendly spaces as part of a broader study of agriculture, including grazing land for livestock such as sheep and cattle.
Benefits of greening around solar panels include general environmental stewardship, improved stormwater management, reduced need for herbicides, soil health, biodiversity, supporting local dual-use practices, and the sustainability of bees and other pollinators that support plant life. The Department of Energy (DOE) explains what pollinator-friendly solar looks like:
NREL has specific research and guidelines for creating pollinator habitat at utility-scale solar installations, and this short video shows examples of various demonstration plantings planted around arrays on the NREL campus.
Locally, Knoxville Public Utilities Commission officials support this example from Knoxville Community Solar. On Earth Day 2024, KUB posted on social media: “KUB employees celebrated by building two pollinator gardens on the KUB Community Solar site. Our employee sustainability team and volunteer team worked together to plan this construction, which provides 10 varieties of native plants for butterflies and hummingbirds. This is just one of the ways KUB promotes sustainability in our community.”
Ann Block is the marketing coordinator for Solar Alliance. The company designs and manages solar installation projects for manufacturers and related grant work for small businesses, and also teaches Solar 101 classes for continuing education for professionals. She can be reached by email or at 865-221-8349.
