What's Working for Conservation
Habitat Friendly Solar
2025 Information
BWSR’s Habitat Friendly Solar Started in 2016 through state legislation, the Habitat Friendly Solar Program encourages the
establishment of diverse native vegetation as part of solar projects. These projects offer landscape co-benefits such as carbon sequestration, water management, pollinator habitat, bird habitat, conservation grazing, and improved landscape aesthetics. There are approximately 70 projects that meet this state standard covering around 7000 acres and sequestering around 11,000 Metric Tons of carbon a year, and capturing around 16,000-acre feet of water. A key focus of this program is to build collaboration between the solar industry and conservation partners. A new resources is available on the program’s webpage to guide the yearly maintenance of solar projects.
Maintenance Recommendations:
The following information was developed as part of a collaboration between BWSR, MNL, and Natural Resource Services. More detailed sample maintenance sequences can be found at the following link: Pollinator Solar VM Sequences v2.pdf
MAINTENANCE PERIODS
- Establishment:
o Timeframe: Seeding through approximately third growing season
o Vegetation management should focus on mechanical cutting (mowing and trimming) 2-4 times
per growing season to control weed growth which allows seeded species to establish, especially
during the first two years
o Selective herbicide use should be introduced during the second growing season or as needed to
control perennial weeds and woody species
o Sheep grazing may be introduced during the second or third growing season if included in
management plan, as vegetation growth permits
- Long-term:
o Timeframe: Approximately fourth growing season onward
o Vegetation management can be reduced to the minimum required to prevent shading of
modules and vegetation interfering with solar equipment, and control noxious weeds
o Mowing should be reduced, ideally no more than 1-2 times per growing season depending on
panel height, equipment layout, and vegetation type. Hand trimming around equipment may be
conducted as needed.
o Selective herbicide use should continue, at least once per year or as needed to control perennial
weeds and woody species
o Sheep grazing may be implemented up to once each active growing season, with additional
grazing in dormant season optional for thatch and fire risk reduction. Grazing pollinator-solar
sites should be implemented only by experienced professionals at appropriate stocking densities
and timing, to avoid damage to the native plants