Ecological Effects Clearing and utilizing large areas of land for solar energy can affect plants and wildlife in many ways, including loss of habitat; obstruction of rain and water; or a direct relationship that causes injury or death.Solar farming will change the future production of land. Because solar panels absorb only 20% of the light for about 5 hours a day some solar energy will pass down. As a result the grass, weeds and leaves are flat, and eventually the wooded shrubs will grow.