RENEWABLE ENERGY
Since 2011, Wychwood has been working with renewable energy companies in the UK, Europe and the USA to improve biodiversity on their land.
Our approach is to communicate clearly and effectively, using innovative mapping to convey management plans to maintenance teams and CEOs alike – view example map.
We pride ourselves in finding new opportunities and creative solutions to land management, thinking beyond the standard approach.
Photo: Dave Butler, Fresh Energy.
Photo: Robert Katski on Unsplash.
Photo: Dave Butler, Fresh Energy.
In the UK, Wychwood has taken a leading role in the development of good practice guidance for biodiversity in the solar industry, developing approaches that fit with the operations of the site.
Most recently, Wychwood has produced a practical guide for improving biodiversity on community-owned solar farms, in conjunction with NatureSave Trust.
Wychwood has led research on solar farms in order to better understand the impacts and opportunities for biodiversity:
In 2013 Wychwood led the first research on solar farms and biodiversity.
This was followed up with a more comprehensive study of 11 solar farms, in partnership with Clarkson and Woods
This study demonstrated that, with the right management, solar farms can deliver significant benefits for a range of UK wildlife, including plants, invertebrates (especially bumblebees and butterflies) and breeding birds.
In 2021, Wychwood is partnering with the University of Lancaster to better understand the dynamics of pollinators on solar farms.
Top banner photo: G Parker, NextEnergy, Emberton solar farm.
