Aller Court Solar Array

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Prior to the construction of a solar array on land at Aller Court, near Langport on the Somerset Levels, concern was expressed that the solar panels could disrupt the movements of winged insects, notably the diverse and important water beetle and bug fauna in the surrounding rhynes, which are of high conservation value.  A novel experimental approach examining the potential phototactic impact of the solar panels on the aerial stages of aquatic species was developed in which experimental panels were set up and monitored over several months to monitor insect strike and potential concomitant impacts on breeding success. This work was combined with a survey of the aquatic invertebrate fauna within the adjacent rhynes.