The new certification scheme helping solar farms become havens for wildlife

Key points

• A new certification scheme in the UK is encouraging solar farms to create better habitats for wildlife. Launched by Wild Power, the scheme awards certification to renewable energy sites that meet its biodiversity standards.
• So far, two UK solar farms have received it, including Dunmow in Essex. Thrive Renewables projects a 65% increase in habitat biodiversity units there, though gains will take years to mature.
• The UK aims to reach 45 to 47GW of solar capacity by 2030.