Ground-Mounted Solar · Species Protection

Species Protection in a Solar Park — what is assessed and what practice shows

In short: During the permitting procedure, a species-protection technical report (Artenschutzfachbeitrag) is prepared — the main focus is on ground-nesting birds, reptiles and endangered insects. A solar park built on previously intensively used arable land can, with appropriate management, even become a more biodiversity-friendly area — provided the park is designed correctly from a species-protection perspective.

What is assessed in the species-protection report

Breeding birds: in particular ground-nesting species (skylark, lapwing, grey partridge) — recorded through field surveys during the breeding season.
Resting and migratory birds: relevant for large-scale parks located in resting areas.
Reptiles: sand lizard, smooth snake (central/southern Germany), recorded using reptile cover boards.
Butterflies, wild bees, grasshoppers: indicator groups for habitat quality.
Mammals: European hamster (regional), game crossings — fence configuration relevant.
Bats: for sites near roosts / foraging grounds.

For the procedural side, see species-protection report and avifaunistic survey.

The biodiversity-friendly solar park — the standards

Light penetration between the rows: sufficient spacing for plant growth under and beside the modules.
Extensive management: one to two mowing operations per year, no pesticide use, often sheep grazing as maintenance.
Structures for animals: stone/deadwood piles for reptiles, flowering strips, avoiding fine-mesh fences (passages for small mammals).
Site-appropriate seed mixtures: regional wildflowers instead of standard turf.
Water management: retention of depressions, small-scale features where appropriate.

A "colourful" solar park is not a marketing term but measurable in insect and bird populations — several scientific monitoring studies show positive effects compared with intensive arable use.

Comparison: A conventionally farmed maize field is species-poor. A solar park designed to species-protection standards with extensive management offers a comparable number of species or more than a calcareous grassland (Magerrasen) conservation area. This is not "nature conservation instead of energy" but "nature conservation through energy".

Species protection in a solar park: 6 species groups (ground-nesting birds, resting birds, reptiles, butterflies/wild bees, mammals, bats), 5 biodiversity standards (row spacing, extensive management, structural elements, wildflowers, small-animal passages), comparison maize field vs. biodiversity solar park. Cost of species-protection technical report: EUR 8,000–25,000

Species protection in a solar park — species groups, biodiversity standards and comparison with arable use

Common points of conflict

Skylark: a frequent point of conflict because it needs open areas — solution: compensation areas outside the park.
Dry grassland / calcareous grassland: often off-limits, because habitat quality would be directly altered by shading from the modules.
Game crossings: generous passages in the fencing are standard today.
Proximity to Natura 2000 (FFH) sites: may require an FFH appropriate assessment (FFH-Verträglichkeitsprüfung).

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an avifaunistic survey at full wind-turbine depth?

No. Unlike wind, the avifaunistic survey for ground-mounted PV is generally focused on ground-nesting species and, where relevant, resting birds — effort and cost are considerably lower than in the wind procedure.

What does the species-protection technical report cost?

On the order of EUR 8,000–25,000 depending on site and size. With particular conflicts (sensitive location, many species) it can be more.

Are there incentives for biodiversity-friendly solar parks?

Regionally yes — some federal states promote or give preference to biodiversity-friendly parks in the development-plan (Bebauungsplan) procedure. On the market and EEG side there is so far no direct premium; the topic is under discussion.