Biodiversity in the
solar park

The Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) has been promoting photovoltaic (PV) open spaces on farmland since 2022, provided that the land is rewetted and simultaneously serves as a moor.

The establishment of solar parks on agricultural land is a way to generate renewable energy and utilize land that is no longer needed for agricultural production. However, there are often concerns about the loss of natural habitats and biodiversity.

One possible solution to this problem is the renaturation of the land. Irrigating the land can create a moor, which brings numerous advantages. Moors are important carbon sinks and play a crucial role in climate protection by preventing the release of carbon stored in the soil, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, a moor provides an important habitat for a variety of species, such as insects, frogs, and birds, which can increase biodiversity. Renaturing the land creates an ecologically valuable habitat, which can help protect and preserve endangered species.

It is important to note that renaturing land requires time and resources. Irrigation and the creation of a moor habitat require careful planning and implementation, and the land must be regularly maintained to ensure the habitat remains intact.

In 2021, only 0.1% of agricultural land was used for solar parks, partly due to the lack of clear guidelines and incentives to promote solar park construction on agricultural land. However, this has changed, as since 2022, the government has been promoting photovoltaic systems on agricultural land that is rewetted and serves as a moor through the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG). The funding is achieved by including these solar systems in the corresponding bidding process as part of the first segment and, therefore, have a higher likelihood of implementation. However, the funding depends on the bid price.

This subsidy is an important step in the right direction as it creates incentives for the use of unused land and promotes nature conservation. Renaturing land can create valuable habitats, which can help protect endangered species and support climate protection.

Overall, the establishment of solar parks on agricultural land is a promising way to generate renewable energy while promoting nature conservation. Renaturing the land can create valuable habitats that can prevent the loss of biodiversity and natural habitats. With the right planning and implementation, solar parks on agricultural land can play an important role in the fight against climate change and environmental protection.