Enhancing biodiversity on solar farms

Enhancing Biodiversity in Solar Farms

Presentation by international solar farm biodiversity expert Dr Josh Ennen and UNE's Dr Eric Nordberg

The University of New England (UNE) is hosting international solar farm biodiversity expert Dr Josh Ennen from the Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute (USA) for a presentation and panel discussion on maximising environmental outcomes in utility-scale solar developments. Josh will be joined by Dr Eric Nordberg, a leading researcher of biodiversity on solar farms in the Australian context, and a panel bringing together practical experience across the farming, land management and industry sectors.

This event welcomes Traditional Owners, industry and government representatives, farmers, researchers and community groups to explore practical solutions for enhancing biodiversity and natural capital under solar panels.

🗓️ Date: Tuesday, 24 June 2025

🕗 Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM  

📍 In-person Event Location: NOVA, 122 Faulkner St, Armidale

🛜 Online Event Location: Virtual/online attendance via webinar link will be possible for those unable to attend in person. This webinar link will be provided closer to the event date.

As Australia's renewable energy sector expands, this timely event explores innovative approaches to design and manage solar farms as multi-use landscapes that benefit both energy production and biodiversity. Dr Ennen will share successful strategies from the United States, where solar farms are being transformed into valuable wildlife habitats while maintaining optimal energy generation.

The panel will explore practical strategies for designing and managing solar farms to enhance biodiversity, drawing on international case studies, stakeholder engagement, monitoring approaches, and policy innovations to balance renewable energy production with environmental stewardship.

Presentations and discussions will aim to cover:

• Designing Solar Farms for Biodiversity
  
• International Lessons and Local Adaptation
  
• Balancing Energy Production, Agricultural Production and Conservation
  
• Importance of Cultural Land Management
• Monitoring and Measuring Success
  
• Engaging Stakeholders and Community
  
• Policy, Incentives, and Regulation
  
• Future Directions and Research Needs

Questions will be welcome, and in person and online attendants will be invited to submit questions beforehand, and during the session.

Expert speakers include:

🔷 Dr Josh Ennen, Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute

Josh Ennen is a Senior Scientist supporting REWI’s work in developing science, tools, and strategies for wind and solar siting and operations that minimize impacts on wildlife and wildlife habitats. Josh implements the goals of the solar-wildlife program. He is a wildlife biologist with expertise in the impacts of renewable energy on wildlife and also works as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Josh has a background in environmental consulting, has had various roles at several academic institutes, and has worked as a researcher at USGS and the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute. As a researcher, Josh has published over 60 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, including several publications and book chapters related to the impacts of renewable energy (both wind and solar) on wildlife. He received a B.A. in Biology from Maryville College, an M.S. in Biology from Austin Peay State University, and a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of Southern Mississippi.

🔷 Dr Eric Nordberg, University of New England

Eric Nordberg is a Senior Lecturer in Applied Ecology and Landscape Management at the University of New
England. He began his academic journey in the United States, earning a BSc from Penn State University and an MSc from Middle Tennessee State University, before completing his PhD at James Cook University in Townsville, Australia. As a wildlife ecologist, Dr. Nordberg focuses on the impacts of land-use changes on wildlife
communities, with a particular interest in managing modified landscapes to benefit multiple stakeholders. His recent research explores how large-scale solar farms can be managed as multi-use systems that support energy production, agriculture, and biodiversity. As a result, Dr Nordberg created the Renewable Energy Hub at UNE, a collective of researchers, land managers, and industry partners to join forces
and answer critical questions about these ‘new ecosystems’. 

Trail camera image of kangaroo by Eric Nordberg

Event support by Community Power Agency