California Solar Plant Accidentally Burns Thousands of Birds
2025-02-03
The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System in California's Mojave Desert, using giant mirrors to concentrate sunlight for power generation, has inadvertently become a death trap for birds. Since its operation in 2014, up to 6,000 birds annually fly into concentrated beams of sunlight and spontaneously combust, nicknamed "streamers." Located along the Pacific Flyway, the plant's design flaw, attracting insects which in turn attract birds, exacerbates the problem. While the plant has tried various methods to reduce bird deaths, results have been minimal, prompting collaboration among agencies to find a solution. This highlights that even green energy can have unforeseen impacts on local ecosystems.
Tech
bird deaths