Overview of Monitoring Methods
At Weaveley Solar Farm, an appropriate array of biodiversity monitoring methods and novel technology will be deployed to holistically understand the dynamics of local ecosystems. The monitoring programme integrates various types of sensors such as live camera feeds, a weather station, soil, and air sensors to capture a multivariable perspective of the environment.

The installation of bat and bird boxes equipped with occupancy and environmental sensors provides valuable data on the presence and behaviour of these species within the solar farm's vicinity. Similarly, time-lapse cameras targeting solitary bees, offer a close-up view of specific species' temporal activities, aiding in conservation efforts.

The weather station, measuring parameters such as temperature, humidity, solar radiation, wind, and rainfall, records critical environmental data, allowing us to monitor the impact of weather patterns on local flora and fauna, so that the effect of solar panels can be isolated from the seasonal weather patterns. Soil moisture sensors, measuring soil temperature and volumetric water content, assist in understanding soil health and water availability, vital for ecosystem assessment and to measure any cooling or heating effects from the solar installation.

Bi-annual multispectral surveying will be conducted to capture vegetation health and growth data, offering valuable insights into the dynamics of plant life throughout the year, helping to inform management strategies and ensuring that the solar farm coexists with the surrounding grassland. This amalgamation of advanced optical technology and biodiversity monitoring methods and more conventional biodiversity monitoring methods underscores Weaveley Solar Farm's commitment to a sustainable future, where renewable energy generation goes hand in hand with the conservation of the natural world.

Additionally, Weaveley Solar Farm is going to trial technology such as Audio Moths to aid in the identification of specific species, such as grasshoppers, birds and bats providing soundscape analysis for a comprehensive auditory understanding of the environment to track long-term changes.

We have specifically not chosen standard survey methods that concentrate on species diversity, but more on methods aiming to provide a measurement of abundance over a long period of time. Thus, we seek to make sure that the long-term data are as comparative as possible so that changes, both positive and negative can be detected against a background of natural variation.

We will be employing a citizen science approach to monitor biodiversity changes in accessible areas at the Weaveley site. This initiative embodies inclusivity, allowing schools and citizens to actively participate in safeguarding our local environment. We are enthusiastic about providing open-source code that empowers individuals to construct their own IoT (Internet of Things) sensors for deployment across the site. This not only encourages a collaborative and educational experience for schools and communities but also ensures that the wealth of data collected is freely accessible and transparent. By coming together to monitor and understand the changes in our local biodiversity, we're nurturing a culture of environmental responsibility and knowledge-sharing, fostering a brighter, more sustainable future for the Weaveley Solar project and our community.

See the open source code here blenheiminnovation/IoT (github.com)