RSPB Helps Lightsource With Nature Habitat For Solar Farms Competition
Over the last 50 years, wildlife in the UK has seen a dramatic loss of natural habitat with a recent survey showing a 60% decline in more than 3,000 native species of plants and animals. Targeted conservation has produced some encouraging results, but more work is needed to protect some of the most at-risk species. A unique competition has been launched aimed at spreading this vital message and to help conservation efforts by giving nature a home on solar installations across the country.
Solar energy generator, Lightsource Renewable Energy, has teamed up with the RSPB, the UK's largest conservation charity, to launch a nationwide search for fledgling designers to create a new-look bird nesting or bat roosting box to be installed on solar farms around the UK. Pupils are being encouraged to let their creative talents take flight to win a free solar energy installation for their school "“ worth over £10,000. The solar power system will have the capability to reduce the school's electricity bill significantly - saving money to reinvest in children's learning.
Each pupil will be asked to draw their bird or bat box and submit the drawing to a specially selected judging panel. The shortlisted finalists will then bring their designs to life by producing their drawings and an overall winner in each of the 12 regions in the UK will be chosen. Lightsource will provide all the equipment and installation of the solar system for free. All designs that make the final shortlist will also be provided the opportunity to place their boxes on solar farms across the country.
Lightsource works closely with ecologists and conservationists on solar projects and has already installed hundreds of bird-boxes across the UK. Over 60 species of bird are known to have used bird boxes and they can help in improve the fortunes of many species that have seen numbers decline in recent years, including house sparrows and starlings. Many species of bats have also suffered; such as the Greater horseshoe bat and Bechstein's bat, due to loss of habitat through intensive agriculture and deforestation. However, there have been some signs of improvement in recent years and it is hoped that bat-boxes will encourage further recovery in areas where there are limited roosting sites.
Mark Turner, Operations Director at Lightsource, said: "It will be the future generations who really feel the effects of the rapidly depleting fossil fuel supplies around the world. It's important to educate on the need for a reliable and renewable source of home-grown energy. We hope that this competition will give pupils, teachers and parents a better understanding of how solar energy works and the benefits it can bring to biodiversity for both ground and rooftop installations. The passive nature of solar technology makes it ideal for working alongside wildlife conservation efforts and habitat enhancements, as it creates no noise or pollution. It is this ability to generate clean, safe electricity whilst maintaining a respect for nature that makes solar power such a viable renewable energy source".
