SolarBee Experience in Inhibiting Submersed Macrophyte Growth
After 10 years of very consistent empirical evidence, we have considerable confidence that SolarBee-induced circulation can reduce and inhibit the growth of certain invasive aquatic weeds in freshwater lakes over time. Although we are still fine-tuning SolarBee deployment parameters, best results have occurred when the units were installed in the fall and the intake hoses were placed below the depth of the macrophyte beds. Evidence of ammonia-N limitation is very strong, and we continue to encourage collaborative research through universities and other institutions to identify and document the physiological mechanisms involved, and to indicate how to best deploy SolarBees for optimal and predictable control. Additionally, we are collecting data on other aquatic macrophyte species that may also be impacted.
We do not anticipate the same impact for all submersed aquatic species as we have seen for EWM, and there are some plants whose physiology is unaffected by SolarBee-induced circulation. For example, we know that LDC does not affect deeply-rooted plants such as water lilies. Nevertheless, solar-powered LDC represents the most environmentally friendly approach to achieve sustainable management of the growth of many notoriously invasive aquatic weeds.