Work With Researchers
The Westmill organisations want to showcase the benefits of renewable energy generation and encourage researchers to utilise the site to conduct studies.
Over the years we’ve welcomed researchers looking at the impact of solar farms on pollinators, land use management, community energy and many other topics.
Read about some of the research which has taken place at Westmill below.
If you would like to conduct a study on the Westmill site, or with input from the Westmill team, please get in touch.
Observations on the use of a solar park by Corn Buntings in southern England
Author: Secker, Walker and Sharp, 2026
Published: 1st April 2026
Summary
Ground-mounted solar parks are the largest onshore renewable energy source in the UK. Despite this, relatively little is known about their impact on biodiversity compared to other land uses, particularly on ground-nesting farm-land birds. In this study, we present the first published evidence of nesting by any ground-nesting farmland bird on a solar park in the UK – the Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra – a Red-listed species.
Southerly winds increase the electricity generated by solar photovoltaic systems
Author: Waterworth and Armstrong, 2020
Published: 15th May 2020
Summary
The urgent need to decarbonise energy supplies has prompted exponential growth of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems across the world. As the penetration of renewable energy sources increases, the need to accurately forecast electricity output heightens to ensure efficient energy system operation. While exposure to high temperatures and moisture are known to significantly reduce PV panel efficiency, the effects of wind on both PV panel temperature and electricity output are poorly resolved. Here, meteorological and PV panel production data from Westmill Solar Park, Oxfordshire, were examined to determine the influence of wind, cloud, ambient temperature and relative humidity.
Potential ecological impacts of ground-mounted photovoltaic solar panels
Author: Taylor et al., 2019
Published: 1st April 2019
Summary
As the number of solar parks in the UK increases, there is growing interest in the interaction of wildlife with ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) solar panels. To date, a relatively limited number of research papers have formed the basis for considerable discussion on the subject, and in some cases these have informed guidance relating to PV solar parks in the UK. The aim of this document is to identify potential ecological issues of solar PV (as relevant to the UK), and identify current gaps in our knowledge.
Solar park microclimate and vegetation management effects on grassland carbon cycling
Author: Armstrong et al., 2016
Published: 13st July 2016
Summary
Increasing energy demands and the drive towards low carbon (C) energy sources has prompted a rapid increase in ground-mounted solar parks across the world. This represents a significant global land use change with implications for the hosting ecosystems that are poorly understood. In order to investigate the effects of a typical solar park on the microclimate and ecosystem processes, we measured soil and air microclimate, vegetation and greenhouse gas emissions for twelve months under photovoltaic (PV) arrays, in gaps between PV arrays and in control areas at a UK solar park sited on species-rich grassland.
Wind turbine maintenance and topical research questions
Author: Hockley, 2013
Published: 31st July 2013
Summary
The renewable energy sector is increasing in size and wind-farm technology has improved in leaps and bounds. However the concepts of Health and Usage Monitoring and remote condition monitoring seem not to have kept pace. Whilst the manufacturers offer such technology, the user or owner communities have perhaps not understood the need and have not embraced the technology which could increase maintenance efficiency and increase availability. Using an example of a failure in a gearbox after nearly 4 years of operation and which resulted in nearly 7 weeks loss of availability, the paper identifies research questions that could produce a more enlightened maintenance regime for wind-farms based on usage and remote condition monitoring.
Visit Us
If you’ve been inspired by the research that has been completed on site and would like to visit us to learn more, come and see the Westmill site!
WeSET’s amazing volunteers host tours and events on site throughout the year.
