| Work Detail |
This is a project carried out by students from Universidad Mayor at the 10.8 MW La Colonia photovoltaic plant, built in the Metropolitan region by IM2 Solar Chile and Enel Green Power.
Students from the School of Environmental and Sustainability Engineering at Chiles Universidad Mayor have concluded that native birds use the facilities of the 10.8 MW La Colonia photovoltaic park, located in the commune of Buin, in the Metropolitan region, as a refuge. It was inaugurated in 2023 as a result of an alliance between IM2 Solar Chile and Enel Green Power .
The statement said the study observed the behaviour of woodpeckers, cuculis, peucos, swallows, chercanes, queltehues, tordos and quails for six months, during which “it was possible to verify that the solar park presents favourable conditions for the development of this type of species”.
"In addition - the information adds - photovoltaic panels show positive impacts on the ecosystem, thanks to the shade they produce, the refuge effect they generate for the development of herbaceous species and the productive rest of the soil, the latter being evidenced in different scientific studies."
Regarding the work, the teaching director of the Postgraduate Program of the School of Environmental Engineering and Sustainability of Universidad Mayor, and thesis advisor professor, César Mattar, explained: “a management plan was developed for the adequate conservation of birds, after which biodiversity indices were determined, characterization of the reproductive cycle of the species present in the study area and its variability with the maintenance activities carried out at the plant.”
“Since there is almost no presence and/or transit of people who interfere with the ecosystem -he added-, apparently, the panels function as protectors for the nesting of some species, there is no entry of machinery or combustion engines that contaminate soil or the environment, and being a closed perimeter it constitutes a protected space from other threatening species and finally, the management of the area does not include the application of herbicides or xenobiotics to control weeds, allowing their growth without interfering with the area of ??incidence of sunlight.”
The study has prompted the signing of a cooperation agreement between IM2 Solar and Universidad Mayor to advance different training, research, development and productive innovation programs. Among other points, it includes, precisely, a proposal for bird management in solar plants. |
