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Bugger of a problem: Solar panels could kill aquatic insects

Researchers say aquatic insects like the mayfly can harm themselves when they confuse reflective solar panels for pools of water.

By Stephanie RogersTue, Jun 22 2010 at 6:53 PM EST
 4

Photo: me'nthedogs/Flickr
 
Some water-loving insects could be wiped out by reflective solar panels that resemble pools of water, according to a new study cited by The Guardian. Species like the mayfly may mate over the panels, making them vulnerable to predators, and lay their eggs on the surface where they won't survive.
 
"The effect of solar panels on populations of aquatic insects has not yet been researched," Bruce Robertson, a scientist at the U.S. Department of Energy's Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center in Michigan, told The Guardian.
 
"It is clear that the worst place to put a solar installation would be in proximity to natural lakes and rivers, where aquatic insects could easily become attracted to them."
 
Solar panels and bodies of water have more in common that simply a shiny surface. They both reflect horizontally polarized light, making light waves vibrate in the same direction. Aquatic species have evolved to detect this type of reflection as they seek out water in dry areas.
 
Robertson and his colleagues set up solar panels next to a creek in Hungary and watched as mayflies and stoneflies swarmed over them to reproduce. The scientists fear that such a reaction could lead to population declines in places where solar panels are common.
 
Does that make harvesting solar energy near water in the summertime a definite no-no? Not if the panels are slightly redesigned, according to the researchers. Breaking up the surface with a grid design might be a good compromise.
 
"They still polarize light, but produce it in smaller patches which is unappealing to aquatic insects that may prefer larger patches of water in which to breed," Robertson said.
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Related Topics: Insects, Solar Panels, Solar Power, Wildlife

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anonymous
David 10/27/2010 14:26 PM

Great piece of information.Not sure it will really hurt the insect population,bigger concern I think would be bird damage and droppings when the birds come to feast..

Make Solar Panels Cheap

anonymous
Schiller 09/02/2010 00:41 AM

Go Nuclear, its the only true green technology, you can use a single plant to do many tasks such as producing power to: desalinate water, pump clean water into the desert to plant new forests, produce hydrogen, power for magnetic levitation trains, and last but not least you can power the Chinese manufacturing plant using slave labor to produce solar panels for some dumb *** in Europe or America. "Energy Flux Density"

anonymous
Bill Guandolo 08/16/2010 16:47 PM

Interesting information. It seems to me that these insects will figure out that the panels are not water pretty quickly. Either that or they will end up like an insect on the windshield of life. As we learn to develop solar out bug buddies need to adapt. Certainly there is no conclusive evidence showing we are in danger of losing our insect population. Thanks for the info ..
.... More

anonymous
Eric Connelly 07/29/2010 12:22 PM

This is interesting, it makes me want to research this a little more as I too am in the business of alternative energy.
Thanks'
Eric Connelly
www.mysolarcellhome.com

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