Solar Panel Bird Deaths

A rare and unusual type of solar power plant that concentrates sunlight in california is accidentally killing up to 6 000 birds every year with staff reporting that the birds keep flying into its concentrated beams of sunlight and spontaneously bursting into flames.

Solar panel bird deaths.

Yes birds have died at solar farms most famously at the ivanpah project in san bernardino county where birds have been incinerated as they fly through the solar flux reflected by fields of. Brightsource s partners are nrg solar of carlsbad california and google. The other solar farms analyzed by the investigators were of the newfangled trough and solar power. According to the audubon society these birds deaths are related to large solar photovoltaic installations in the desert which to waterfowl can appear to look like bodies of water due to the reflectivity of the panels.

Bird scientist shawn smallwood testified that one large solar farm alone the ivanpah solar panel project in california likely kills 28 380 birds annually. Meanwhile we ve built more wind turbines. Bird scientist shawn smallwood testified that one large solar farm alone the ivanpah solar panel project in california likely kills 28 380 birds annually. Federal biologists say about 6 000 birds die from collisions or immolation annually while chasing flying insects around the facility s three 40 story towers which catch sunlight from five square.

Scientists claim to be stunned that birds are dropping in droves. One leading theory suggests birds mistake the glare from solar panels for the surface of a lake and swoop in for a landing with. Bird deaths from solar farms have been estimated to be relatively low though a u s. Birds can be killed when they smash into the facility s solar panels the investigation concluded.

The 2 2 billion plant which launched in february is at ivanpah dry lake near the california nevada border. The link between solar facilities and bird deaths is still unclear.