Can artificial intelligence monitor bird behavior around solar panels?

A team at Argonne National Laboratory set out to develop a camera system that could continuously monitor how birds behave around solar panels using artificial intelligence. Their results provided greater understanding of bird behaviors at large-scale solar sites.

Can a bird fly near a solar panel?

Birds flying near a solar panel detected by the camera. In all 17,000 hours of video, the cameras did not detect a single collision of a bird with a solar panel.

Do solar panels harm birds?

Research on the risk of birds colliding with PV panels has been inconclusive. The solar industry, wildlife management agencies, and conservation groups need more information on solar-avian interactions to design facilities and management practices that could prevent harm to birds, and even provide habitat.

How does a bird camera work?

Their software program uses artificial intelligence to detect a bird when it enters the camera’s field of vision and differentiate it from other moving objects, such as insects and other wildlife, plants or cables blowing in the wind, and shadows.

Are birds colliding with solar panels?

Early studies of solar photovoltaic (PV) facilities in the Southwest found deceased birds, leading to the hypothesis that birds are colliding with panels. However, recent studies at PV sites around the country have found that fatalities may not be as common as initially suspected, and that birds are using the sites as habitat.

How accurate is a Bird tracking system?

The team recorded more than 17,000 hours of videos of birds interacting with solar facilities and found their system to be as high as 95% accurate in identifying bird behaviors. The system also works in real time and can quickly alert researchers and system operators of any bird behaviors of interest.