The Potential Effects of Ground‐Based Photovoltaic Solar Farms on Bats in Aotearoa New Zealand

Given the increase in resource consent applications to construct ground‐based photovoltaic solar farms (PVSFs) in Aotearoa New Zealand, it is time to consider the potential impacts on pekapeka/bats of construction and ongoing operation of PVSFs as no local studies have investigated their potential effects. Limited published literature from overseas PVSFs records direct mortality through collisions with solar infrastructure and lower bat activity and reductions in foraging opportunities resulting from habitat loss and degradation. A broad range of bat species, which display diverse ecological characteristics from contrasting foraging guilds, have been recorded as fatalities at PVSFs overseas, but it is unclear what factors may have predisposed these species to collisions. I present a risk assessment for threatened long‐tailed bats ( Chalinolobus tuberculatus ) and lesser short‐tailed bats ( Mystacina tuberculata ) based on the traits of vulnerable bat species from overseas, which indicates PVSFs would likely affect both species where their distribution overlaps proposed PVSFs in Aotearoa New Zealand. Long‐tailed bats, which are mid‐range echolocators and feed in low‐clutter habitats, are ecologically similar to overseas species that are most often affected by habitat displacement, whereas clutter‐adapted bats like short‐tailed bats feature less among overseas fatalities and generally avoid PVSFs. Research is urgently needed to understand the potential impacts of PVSFs on bats, the mechanisms behind bat collisions, and potential ways to mitigate risks.