I offer a different perspective on Caelin Graber’s “What insects want” and a letter
in the Oct. 28 Ledger-Transcript, “Our Insects are Disappearing.” It amazes
me that neither article mentions anything regarding solar panels and windmills. It must be
something both writers overlooked.
We already know that windmills kill insects and birds; now we know they are literally hurting our ocean creatures, with sight and sounds. Then they wonder why our marine life act erratically.
Now let’s look at solar panels, especially the “array of solar panels.” The reason solar panels have become known as insect killers is because of the effect that they have specifically on aquatic insects. For most, if not all, aquatic insects, solar panels appear to them the way that water would. It becomes a mirage the way that we believe we see water in a desert.
Aquatic insects can go over solar panels over and over again until they die, mesmerized
by the dazzling three-dimensional effect that it can have on their minds. They die from
exhausting themselves with constant movement towards something that doesn’t exist.
Due to high temperatures, the reflected solar beams are a death trap for flying insects and birds. Lake effect: Some solar projects are so extensive that the solar panels appear as lakes (due to their reflective surfaces), causing collisions when birds fly into them. (Article: Why do solar panels kill insects and birds – Copilot Search).
One can only hope, going to legislation, as both these writers want, that many do their own research – to realize what these so-called “clean energy” sources are doing to our wildlife and sea life.