How Alpine solar installations impact on animal and bird life

Under its Energy Strategy 2050, the federal government is increasingly focusing on the promotion of renewable energy sources, which includes promoting the expansion of Alpine solar installations. Since it is not yet known how these installations impact on biodiversity, however, the Swiss Ornithological Institute is conducting a before-and-after study at various sites in the Swiss Alps. Territory mapping and passive acoustic monitoring are being used at sites with and without solar installations to record birds and other species groups (grasshoppers, bats). This will enable the impact of Alpine solar installations on species composition to be demonstrated based on scientific evidence.