Techno–ecological synergies of solar energy for global sustainability

Rebecca R. Hernandez (), Alona Armstrong, Jennifer Burney, Greer Ryan, Kara Moore-O’Leary, Ibrahima Diédhiou, Steven M. Grodsky, Leslie Saul-Gershenz, Rob Davis, Jordan Macknick, Dustin Mulvaney, Garvin A. Heath, Shane B. Easter, Madison K. Hoffacker, Michael F. Allen and Daniel M. Kammen
Additional contact information
Rebecca R. Hernandez: University of California
Alona Armstrong: Lancaster University
Jennifer Burney: University of California, San Diego
Greer Ryan: Center for Biological Diversity
Kara Moore-O’Leary: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Southwest Region
Ibrahima Diédhiou: Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Agriculture, Université de Thiès
Steven M. Grodsky: University of California
Leslie Saul-Gershenz: University of California
Rob Davis: Center for Pollinators in Energy, Fresh Energy
Jordan Macknick: National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Dustin Mulvaney: San José State University
Garvin A. Heath: National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Shane B. Easter: Renewable Energy & Environmental Finance Group, Wells Fargo
Madison K. Hoffacker: University of California
Michael F. Allen: University of California
Daniel M. Kammen: University of California

Nature Sustainability, 2019, vol. 2, issue 7, 560-568

Abstract: Abstract The strategic engineering of solar energy technologies—from individual rooftop modules to large solar energy power plants—can confer significant synergistic outcomes across industrial and ecological boundaries. Here, we propose techno–ecological synergy (TES), a framework for engineering mutually beneficial relationships between technological and ecological systems, as an approach to augment the sustainability of solar energy across a diverse suite of recipient environments, including land, food, water, and built-up systems. We provide a conceptual model and framework to describe 16 TESs of solar energy and characterize 20 potential techno–ecological synergistic outcomes of their use. For each solar energy TES, we also introduce metrics and illustrative assessments to demonstrate techno–ecological potential across multiple dimensions. The numerous applications of TES to solar energy technologies are unique among energy systems and represent a powerful frontier in sustainable engineering to minimize unintended consequences on nature associated with a rapid energy transition.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41893-019-0309-z

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