Entomological Research for Utility‑Scale Solar in Continental Climates: An Exploratory Study
[excerpt] Introduction - Every single paper, article, or report I’ve read from the last five years revolving around the integration of solar into rural landscapes includes an introductory section with a very specific handful of facts and information. These paragraphs, now almost comic in their redundancy, still move me, and if digested, I believe would move any reader interested in examining the near future through the lens of sustainability. These authors, be they an economist, solar developer, farmer, government agency employee, engineer, ecologist, community member (there are so many individuals and areas of interest that are affected when adding solar to a landscape) are building an undeniable case. Solar is emerging as a frontrunner for alternative energy in the scramble to reduce emissions and combat climate change. The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory predict that 45% of electricity in the United States will be generated from solar by the year 2050 (Nrel.gov, 2025). But how, with so many elements in play, do we move forward with solar gracefully?