The project analysed current developments in the field of photovoltaic use. This includes an evaluation matrix for the ecological assessment of ground-mounted PV systems of different system types on different land uses, an analysis of the potential for floating PV systems, legal recommendations on how nature conservation criteria could be integrated as part of a privileged status and an analysis of how PV system operators plan to continue using the systems after the end of the funding period. In view of the large number of system types and the current speed of system construction, the ecological assessment of solar systems is of particular importance.
The facts and interrelationships relevant to the application of nature conservation impact regulation are presented in this study. The agricultural utilisation types of arable land and grassland, which are increasingly affected as sites, are also discussed in relation to their respective cultivation intensity. An installation on an arable site with average cultivation and low biotope value can be largely compensated for by suitable measures in the area of the respective plan area, often simply by establishing a permanent and at least partially species-rich grassland stand. In individual cases, however, additional species conservation concerns may need to be taken into account. A significant improvement, on the other hand, requires more extensive biotope development measures in the sense of a site-specific target and measure concept, which also includes maintenance management and monitoring to provide evidence. In view of the large number of suitable and far less nature conservation-relevant alternative sites, existing and in particular species-rich grassland biotopes should not be used as sites for ground-mounted solar parks.
Dieter Günnewig, Esther Johannwerner, Thomas Wachter, Benjamin Bleyhl, Tobias Kelm, Laura Liebhart, Marcel Klingler, Nils Wegner, Jonas Otto und Daniela Fietze: Zukünftige Solar-Anlagen: Technologien, Auswirkungen, räumliche Steuerungsmöglichkeiten. BfN-Schriften 712 (2024) (Includes an abstract in English)