Photovoltaic panels affect arthropod and plant communities: a systematic review

Abstract

Due to climate change, photovoltaic facilities are being rapidly scaled up. However, such a development can come at a cost for biodiversity. We conducted a systematic review, including a critical appraisal, and meta-analyses to better understand the effects of photovoltaic panels and facilities on plants and arthropods, two previously identified knowledge clusters. By collating and analysing 817 quantitative results from 56 publications, we showed that photovoltaic panels have an overall small to moderate negative impact (approximately 15–20% change) on plant and arthropod community metrics, notably on their abundance and species richness and in the area located underneath panels. In particular, pollinators were very strongly affected by the presence of PV panels and facilities. The effects of PV panels and facilities were more pronounced for plant and arthropod communities located in temperate climates. Based on these new results, we advocate for the location of new photovoltaic facilities to be carefully chosen to avoid biodiversity-rich areas (e.g., grasslands, wetlands, forests) or areas hosting particularly sensitive or threatened species or habitats and for biodiversity-friendly management practices to be implemented at current facilities.