The association SolarPower Europe and the nature conservation organization The Nature Conservancy have released an important document highlighting the role of solar parks in combating climate change and restoring natural habitats.
The new approach, known as “nature-inclusive solar energy,” encompasses solar installations that enhance local biodiversity, combining nature restoration and conservation with energy production at the same site.
The document calls for a new cross-sector EU policy framework to support the development of nature-friendly solar parks. These parks are strategically located to minimize negative impacts on local ecosystems and maximize benefits for flora, fauna, and nearby communities.
Rebecca Humphries, Head of Climate Policy for Europe at The Nature Conservancy, emphasized the importance of well-designed solar parks.
“Properly located and designed solar parks can provide benefits for both the climate and nature, creating positive solutions for all,” said Humphries, adding that policymakers must now leverage existing frameworks, such as the Nature Restoration Law, to support greater investment in such projects.
This law, which came into force on August 18, 2024, sets a goal to restore at least 20 percent of degraded terrestrial and marine ecosystems by 2030 and all degraded ecosystems by 2050. Although solar parks occupy only 0.3% of the EU’s total area, their strategic design is crucial to align with the ambitious goals of the Nature Restoration Law.
The document’s recommendations include creating a common definition of nature-inclusive solar parks at the EU level, providing guidelines for development to minimize biodiversity loss, and establishing a monitoring and evaluation system.
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Do Solar Power Plants Encourage Biodiversity?
A study titled “Species Diversity in Solar Parks – A National Field Study,” published by the German Federal Association of New Energy Industry, explores biodiversity in solar parks on agricultural land, with early results indicating positive effects on biological diversity, reports Ekovjesnik.
The research covers 24 solar systems on agricultural land in Germany and one in Denmark, with a full evaluation expected in the first quarter of 2025.
So far, 354 different plant species have been recorded across 22 solar systems, including endangered species as well as those typical for rural areas and forests. The authors explain that the area under the solar modules has a cooler and more humid climate, allowing the growth of plants such as strawberries, raspberries, and mushrooms.
Preliminary results show that the situation varies significantly from site to site, depending on the environment and conditions prior to the construction of the solar systems. The conclusion is that an individual approach for each location would be desirable. The design and management of solar parks also affect the species that inhabit or use the area.
