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
EnergyIs rooftop solar right for you? Get answers to your questions about solar power, courtesy of EnergySage.
Testimonials: How These Bird Lovers Went Solar at Home
EnergyIntimidated by solar power? Don't be. Meet real people who installed solar panels on their roof for a peek inside the process.
Audubon in Action Read more stories about Audubon in Action
Can Solar Plants Make Good Bird Habitat?
Climate SolutionsA proposed state law could turn Minnesota's solar gardens into actual gardens for native birds and pollinators.
Audubon California Helps Improve Apple’s Solar Farm
Climate SolutionsSure, green energy is great—but not when it’s plopped in the middle of pristine habitat.
Kicking the Carbon Habit for Good
Audubon Climate HeroesAudubon Society of Western Pennsylvania is tapping solar and wind power, green buildings, and more to take its carbon pollution down to zero.
Climate Change News
Climate
How New Jersey Plans to Relocate Flooded ‘Ghost Forests’ Inland
By Jared Brey
A $20 million cedar restoration project in the state’s Pine Barrens shows how people can help vanishing habitats outpace sea-level rise.
Greening The Grid
This Little-Known Electricity Agency Could Give Renewable Energy the Push It Needs
By Susan Cosier
State public utility commissions have the power to reduce carbon emissions and address climate change. Some have already begun.
Press Room
As Historic Climate Legislation is Celebrated, Opportunities and Challenges Lie Ahead
By National Audubon Society
The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act was celebrated at a White House ceremony, but the fight for an equitable solution to the climate crisis continues.
News
How Bird Researchers Are Tracking the Impacts of Intensifying Hurricane Seasons
By Jason Gregg
As climate change fuels stronger storms, scientists are using emerging technology and crowdsourcing data to understand their avian toll.
Climate
The Inflation Reduction Act is a Big Deal. Here’s What it Means for Birds (And You)
By Sarah Rose
We parse out the key provisions of this historic climate legislation.
Climate
The Senate Climate Deal Promises a Safer Future for Birds—If It Passes
By Andy McGlashen and Hannah Waters
Experts and advocates are optimistic, for the first time in ages, about what would be the biggest-ever U.S. investment in climate action.
Press Room
Historic Climate Legislation Would Put the U.S. Back on Track to Meet Energy Goals
By National Audubon Society
The Senate has an opportunity to take a major step in reducing emissions and creating a cleaner future for birds and communities.
Climate
Rebuilding an Iconic California State Park With Birds and Wildfire In Mind
By Sarah Gilman
In 2020, a blaze consumed Big Basin Redwoods State Park, incinerating cabins, blackening ancient trees, and imperiling endangered murrelets. Staff now want to reimagine the park to better ensure the seabird’s future.
Field Notes
The Buried Treasure in Panama’s Mangrove Forests: the Carbon They Store
By María Paula Rubiano A.
These ecosystems feed and shelter migrating birds and surrounding communities—and help fight climate change. By tapping some of that value, conservationists seek to ensure they’ll continue doing so.
Climate
How Air-Conditioning Creates a Climate Conundrum
By Spoorthy Raman
ACs will increasingly be needed for people to survive summer heat waves, but they also accelerate warming. Here's how we can break the cycle.
