Biodiversity in solar parks – Innovative concepts and development of demonstrators for better compatibility between ground-mounted photovoltaic systems, nature conservation, and agriculture (BIODIV-SOLAR)

The interdisciplinary research project BIODIV-SOLAR is a cooperative project between Anhalt University of Applied Sciences and five corporate partners. The project aims to develop biodiversity-promoting and economically viable overall concepts for photovoltaic systems—both classic solar parks and agri-photovoltaics.

Under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Sabine Tischew, the expertise of several departments is being pooled for the project.

The Biodiversity Working Group (Department 1) develops mixtures of native wild plants for creating flower-rich, insect-friendly wild plant structures. These are tested in cooperation with solar park operators, and various maintenance and usage models are trialed.

In addition, the “Photovoltaics” working group, led by Prof. Dr. Ralph Gottschalg (Department 6) and in cooperation with PV module manufacturers, is investigating energy-related aspects. To this end, novel PV module types and various mounting systems and spacing are being tested, and an innovative measurement concept for monitoring the PV test facilities and abiotic parameters is being developed and implemented.

An AgriPV test facility being built at the Bernburg university campus will also investigate how vertically mounted bifacial modules can be integrated into crop cultivation and combined with wild plant strips.

Project priorities

The aim of the research project is to develop biodiversity-promoting and economically viable overall concepts for solar power plants that also integrate new agricultural value creation models.

The project will therefore be carried out using an interdisciplinary approach.

1. more efficiently promote biodiversity and the associated ecosystem services in solar plants by combining them with energy-related optimizations of PV-FFA
2. enable the economic integration of the necessary compensation areas to offset the impact of solar installations, and
3. Consciously integrating agriculture into new value creation models

Project region

Saxony-Anhalt, Saxony, Brandenburg

Further project details

• Locations of the demonstrators

  Six model solar parks are being set up in Saxony-Anhalt, Saxony, and Brandenburg as demonstration sites. In order to enable broad applicability of the research results in practice, both rich/cohesive sites and poorer/sandy sites and special sites (slag heaps) were taken into account when selecting the project areas. Concepts for multifunctional land use in agri-photovoltaic systems are also being tested at the university site in Bernburg and in Hohlstedt (cooperation).

  

• Construction of the demonstrators (open-space PV)

  In March 2022, preparations began for the creation of flower-rich wild plant structures in the solar parks. The existing vegetation was intensively disturbed as necessary to create low-competition germination and establishment conditions for the seed species. To this end, the spaces between the modules and the areas of individual solar parks not covered by modules were tilled.

  

  Following the preparation of the land, the native wild plant mixtures were sown using small or large-scale equipment, depending on the location. The seed mixtures consisted of native wild plant seeds with low-growing, perennial species adapted to the location.

  

  To prevent seedlings from being shaded out, vegetation was cut back as needed as part of development maintenance.

  

• Impressions from the demonstrators (open-space PV)

  During the project period, flower-rich grassland stands were developed in the demonstrators.

  

  

  

  

• monitoring of success

  Many of the wild plant species introduced were already detectable in the year following sowing. The success of the establishment of the sown species and the different seed mixtures is evaluated by vegetation surveys.

  

• AgriPVplus

  The innovative and sustainable triple-use approach “AgriPVplus” aims to reduce land use conflicts between agriculture, energy production, and biodiversity, as well as promote species diversity in the agricultural landscape. As part of the BIODIV-SOLAR project, a test facility is therefore being built at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences in Bernburg, where vertically mounted bifacial photovoltaic modules are integrated into agricultural crop cultivation and combined with species-rich wild plant strips.

  The test facility will be used to test new photovoltaic module technologies, various seed mixtures for wild plant strips, and the cultivation of drought-resistant crops.

  For further information on agri-photovoltaics, visit the AgriPVplus network website.

  

  

  An agri-PV system near Hohlstedt has been enhanced with flora. The establishment of the introduced wild plant species is being scientifically monitored.

  

  

• Knowledge transfer, public relations, and downloads

  The demonstrators also enable high-quality biodiversity-promoting structures in open-space photovoltaic systems to be presented to the public.

  AgriPV test facility in the media

  You can get an insight into the Bernburg-Strenzfeld test facility at MDR um 4 here.

  

   

  Ceremonial inauguration of the AgriPVplus system at the Bernburg university campus

  The AgriPVplus plant, built as part of the BIODIV-SOLAR project, was inaugurated on October 16, 2023, with many guests from politics, research, agriculture, and nature conservation in attendance. The project manager and university president welcomed Saxony-Anhalt’s Minister of Science, Prof. Dr. Armin Willingmann, who gave a welcoming speech. Federal Minister of Science Bettina Stark-Watzinger also sent a very motivating video message and described the AgriPVplus concept: “The new AgrivPVplus test facility combines three things that were considered incompatible just a few years ago: high-yield agriculture, renewable energy production, and biodiversity protection.” We are delighted to be able to test the triple-use approach in the BIODIV-SOLAR project and would like to thank the BMBF and our project partners for their support!

  

  

  Publication: Bee-Friendly Native Seed Mixtures for the Greening of Solar Parks

  Based on the experiences gained from the BIODIV-SOLAR project, criteria for selecting wild plant species suited to specific locations were presented, potential uses for wild bees were evaluated using an index, and examples of mixtures were provided.

  Land 2023, 12(6), 1265; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12061265

  

  

  30th C.A.R.M.E.N. Symposium “Three decades – sustainable, efficient, renewable!” in Straubing

  Sandra Dullau: Design measures for an environmentally friendly open-space solar plant to increase biodiversity

  Download the presentation (german)

  

  

  AgriPVplus in the media

  The concept of “AgriPVplus” was also presented in an ARD report on the topic of agri-PV.

  

  

  Viewing of demonstrators

  The BIODIV-SOLAR project’s demonstration models are regularly used for public relations visits. Two demonstration models were visited during a meeting of the BIODIV-SOLAR project partners. The Competence Center for Nature Conservation and Energy Transition (KNE) also learned about the successes and challenges of promoting biodiversity in PV systems.

  

  

  2022 press trip by Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke

  During her summer trip, Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke learned about the progress of the BIODIV-SOLAR project. Together with EVH GmbH, the initial results of the biodiversity-promoting measures were presented in one of the six demonstration sites.

  Projektsteckbrief zur Pressereise

  

  

• BIODIV-SOLAR Toolbox

  The project will provide PV system planners and operators with a freely accessible, web-based planning tool that can be used to put together system designs that promote biodiversity.

  The toolbox will be available at the end of the project period from January 2026.