Introduction

Utility-scale solar facilities may be one way for California to meet its growing energy needs while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the face of climate change. Given the potential that utility-scale solar development will disturb large areas of the California desert landscape, an understanding of the ecological footprint, resource requirements, and necessary technological infrastructure for these projects is essential to determine potential ecological impacts of these facilities. In the following sections we provide an overview of current utility-scale solar technologies, ecological conditions, followed by potential site-, landscape-, and species-level impacts should solar development occur. Ecological impacts have relevant implications for desert biodiversity, human health and well-being, and project viability.