At British Solar Renewables (BSR), we take a long-term approach to supporting local wildlife alongside our renewable energy projects. This year, our team has carried out voluntary bat surveys across four of our sites, building a consistent dataset that helps us understand bat activity over time and across multiple locations.

Monitoring bats at multiple sites over extended periods gives us a clearer picture of population trends and behaviours. This consistency allows us to evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation measures and identify opportunities to enhance them, ensuring our projects can support bat conservation as effectively as possible.

In some locations, ecological baseline data wasn’t required through the planning consent process. By collecting this information voluntarily, we create a reliable foundation for understanding local bat populations and how they may change as our sites develop. Where previous surveys exist, we integrate that data to ensure continuity and build a robust picture across the landscape.

As our sites mature, with planting schemes, wildflower areas, and grassland habitats designed to encourage invertebrates, we track correlations with bat activity. These observations help us understand how habitat enhancements deliver wider ecological benefits, going beyond compliance to actively support local biodiversity.

Alongside monitoring, we’ve already installed bat boxes across several of our sites to provide safe roosting and breeding spaces. Early results from our surveys have been encouraging, with species such as Alcathoe, Barbastelle, Common Pipistrelle, and more recorded so far. These measures show promise that solar farms can provide tangible benefits for wildlife while continuing to generate clean energy.

At BSR, we’re demonstrating that renewable energy and thriving wildlife are not mutually exclusive. Through careful site design, habitat creation, and consistent ecological monitoring, we show that solar farms can provide real benefits for local ecosystems, from bats to invertebrates, while delivering clean energy. Our ongoing studies help us refine approaches that maximise both energy production and biodiversity outcomes.

We’ll continue to update this blog as new data is collected, so keep an eye out for the latest insights from our ongoing surveys.