Known and unknown biodiversity impacts of solar PV: A review of life cycle stages and mitigation opportunities
5 affiliations
- 1Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- 2Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS), University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- 3Sustainability Science, LUT University, Mukkulankatu 19, 15210 Lahti, Finland
- 4Department of Forest sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- 5Electrical Engineering, LUT University, Yliopistonkatu 34, Lappeenranta 53850, Finland
Abstract
Climate change and biodiversity loss are interconnected global problems that should be addressed in tandem. Solar photovoltaics (PV) electricity generation is crucial in mitigating climate challenge, but its biodiversity impacts are less studied. This study proposes an approach to review existing literature on biodiversity impacts of solar PV using a life cycle thinking approach while considering direct biodiversity loss drivers (e.g. land use and climate change), aiming to identify current knowledge, research gaps, and potential mitigation strategies. The review of 54 articles reveals a misrepresentation between installed solar PV capacity and biodiversity-focused studies, uneven taxonomic coverage, and an imbalanced focus across life-cycle stages. About 76% of included studies focus on the operational stage of solar PV systems, particularly the effects of land use. Research suggests that solar PV sites can negatively impact biodiversity when installed in natural areas but may offer benefits on degraded or low-biodiversity areas, while 69% of studies focusing on biodiversity-conscious planning and maintenance showed this could further enhance onsite biodiversity levels. Other life cycle stages—such as raw material extraction, manufacturing, and end-of-life disposal— are less understood, despite their potential to contribute to biodiversity loss through pollution, habitat loss, and climate change. Despite limited coverage across life cycle stages, our review indicates that a shift from fossil fuels to solar PV can reduce biodiversity impacts, particularly when following the principles of the mitigation hierarchy. Nonetheless, more research is needed to enable future comprehensive biodiversity assessments, particularly regarding the standardisation of biodiversity measurement protocols to support meta-analytical comparison. • Holistic, standardised assessment of biodiversity impacts from solar PV is needed. • Solar PV biodiversity studies mainly focus on land use. • Impacts across taxonomic groups, management, and land-use types varies. • Biodiversity-conscious planning/maintenance can enhance biodiversity of PV sites. • Policy should mandate inclusion of biodiversity considerations in PV site planning.
Related
- From evidence to protection: A critical review and original analysis of the implementation gap in managing oil and gas impacts on biodiversity
- GEB-PlantFATE v1.0 Coupling of forest demographic and soil hydrological models for simulating the hydrological impacts of afforestation and biodiversity
- Urbanization impacts avian biodiversity on stream ecosystems-insights from a large geographical
- Biodiversity conservation policies alter the solution space of climate mitigation scenarios
- Microplastics in agricultural soils, their sources, environmental impacts, ecological risks, and mitigation strategies
BibTeX
@article{jarvio2026known,
title = {{Known and unknown biodiversity impacts of solar PV: A review of life cycle stages and mitigation opportunities}},
author = {Natasha Järviö and Ville Uusitalo and Lauri Leppäkoski and Christian Breyer and Hasret Sahin and Antti Kosonen},
journal = {Applied Energy},
year = {2026},
month = may,
doi = {10.1016/j.apenergy.2026.128008},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2026.128008},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Known and unknown biodiversity impacts of solar PV: A review of life cycle stages and mitigation opportunities
AU - Natasha Järviö
AU - Ville Uusitalo
AU - Lauri Leppäkoski
AU - Christian Breyer
AU - Hasret Sahin
AU - Antti Kosonen
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/05/14
JO - Applied Energy
DO - 10.1016/j.apenergy.2026.128008
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2026.128008
AB - Climate change and biodiversity loss are interconnected global problems that should be addressed in tandem. Solar photovoltaics (PV) electricity generation is crucial in mitigating climate challenge, but its biodiversity impacts are less studied. This study proposes an approach to review existing literature on biodiversity impacts of solar PV using a life cycle thinking approach while considering direct biodiversity loss drivers (e.g. land use and climate change), aiming to identify current knowledge, research gaps, and potential mitigation strategies. The review of 54 articles reveals a misrepresentation between installed solar PV capacity and biodiversity-focused studies, uneven taxonomic coverage, and an imbalanced focus across life-cycle stages. About 76% of included studies focus on the operational stage of solar PV systems, particularly the effects of land use. Research suggests that solar PV sites can negatively impact biodiversity when installed in natural areas but may offer benefits on degraded or low-biodiversity areas, while 69% of studies focusing on biodiversity-conscious planning and maintenance showed this could further enhance onsite biodiversity levels. Other life cycle stages—such as raw material extraction, manufacturing, and end-of-life disposal— are less understood, despite their potential to contribute to biodiversity loss through pollution, habitat loss, and climate change. Despite limited coverage across life cycle stages, our review indicates that a shift from fossil fuels to solar PV can reduce biodiversity impacts, particularly when following the principles of the mitigation hierarchy. Nonetheless, more research is needed to enable future comprehensive biodiversity assessments, particularly regarding the standardisation of biodiversity measurement protocols to support meta-analytical comparison. • Holistic, standardised assessment of biodiversity impacts from solar PV is needed. • Solar PV biodiversity studies mainly focus on land use. • Impacts across taxonomic groups, management, and land-use types varies. • Biodiversity-conscious planning/maintenance can enhance biodiversity of PV sites. • Policy should mandate inclusion of biodiversity considerations in PV site planning.
SN - 0306-2619
SN - 1872-9118
ER -