Why Solar Power Is Good for Birds
EnergySolar energy is a boon for the environment, but some methods can be harmful to birds and other wildlife. Here's how to go solar safely.
The future looks bright for solar power. More than 1 million homes across the United States now run on energy generated by rooftop solar panels, and a new system is installed every four minutes. Solar panels are cheaper than they’ve ever been; installation costs have dropped by 70 percent in the last decade. And because solar is growing in popularity and declining in cost, more companies offer services that make rooftop installation easy.
That’s great news for all of us—and for birds, too. Climate change is the number one threat to U.S. birds, according to Audubon scientists, and to combat that threat, we need to end our reliance on fossil fuels that produce carbon pollution. With solar power more accessible than ever, many people can now do their part to transition to cleaner sources of energy at home, and save money on electricity bills in the long run.
Click on your state on the map below to view information about installing rooftop solar panels.
Solar Power: Frequently Asked Questions
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Climate Change News
Climate
Why Heat Waves Amplified by Climate Change Are a Big Problem for Baby Birds
By Joanna Thompson
The extreme heat wave earlier this summer was a disaster for nestlings in the Pacific Northwest. With climate change, these intense hot spells will become more frequent, ultimately threatening bird populations.
Press Room
Infrastructure Bill Provides Important Environmental Provisions, But Leaves More Work To Do
By Tule Horton
We will continue to work with Congress to strive for environmental justice and a zero-carbon future, filling in the gaps left by this important first step.
Press Room
UN Report Affirms the Need for Urgent Action on Climate
The first of three reports finds that the climate is warming at alarming levels, with consequences for communities and for wildlife.
Climate
Emperor Penguins Proposed for Listing Under Endangered Species Act
By Joanna Thompson
The Antarctic seabirds may qualify as a ‘threatened’ species due to climate change. But without reducing carbon emissions, can the listing help them?
Climate
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework Represents a Meaningful Step Toward a Cleaner Future for Birds and People
By Marshall Johnson
While funding levels for some programs are insufficient, the framework is a 'down payment' on future clean energy and resilience investments.
Greening The Grid
Electric Utilities, Long Anchored by Coal, Are Starting to Break for Renewables
By Susan Cosier
Renewable electricity will save money in the long run. But that’s tough logic for utilities desperate to earn every penny from their fossil-fuel investments.
Press Room
Biden Administration to Restore Protections For Alaska’s Tongass National Forest
By National Audubon Society
USDA announces a new strategy to protect old-growth trees that are important to local communities, birds, and the planet.
News
How One Clash With an Iceberg Threw an Emperor Penguin Colony into Disarray
By Joanna Thompson
Climatologists predict an increase in wayward icebergs as warming seas weaken glaciers. A new analysis shows how they threaten penguin survival.
Climate
Avian Brood Parasites Are About to Have Their Adaptability Tested
By April Reese
The future of parasitic birds, which lay their eggs in other nests, is totally dependent on their hosts' ability to adjust to climate change.
Press Room
Congress Votes to Restore Methane Emissions Regulations in a Boost to Combating Climate Change
By National Audubon Society
President Biden is expected to sign the resolution, which will reinstate limits on the dangerous greenhouse gas.
