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SolarPower Europe – Nature-inclusive solar with multiple benefits

October 16, 2024 ryansheehanrts

Nature-inclusive solar parks are solar installations designed to not only produce renewable energy, but also enhance local biodiversity, combining restoration, conservation, and energy production on the same plot of land. In this model, solar parks are strategically located to minimise negative impacts on native habitats, flora, and fauna, while being designed to maximise benefits for the local ecosystem and local communities.

“The Nature Conservancy and SolarPower Europe are calling for a coherent EU-wide policy framework that defines nature-inclusive solar, aligns with existing EU policies, and incorporates a monitoring and evaluation system. This kind of framework could simplify and standardise practices across EU countries, helping nature-friendly solar parks become more widespread and effective.”

Landmark collaborative policy paper

In a landmark collaborative policy paper, SolarPower Europe and The Nature Conservancy explore how solar parks can support the EU’s nature protection and restoration goals while creating a win-win for renewable energy and biodiversity.

Rebecca Humphries, Head of Climate Policy Europe for The Nature Conservancy, commented „Well designed and sited solar parks, following the mitigation hierarchy can lead to win-win solutions for both climate and nature. With this report, we explore how solar can contribute to protecting and restoring nature, and the policy and financial incentives needed in order to scale up such projects. Policymakers now have a window of opportunity to use existing frameworks, such as the Nature Restoration Law or non-price criteria, as well as develop further tools to put in place credible definitions and indicators, in order to drive more investment into solar parks that protect and restore nature.”

Also see: Q ENERGY: 52 MW solar park in Extremadura also promotes biodiversity

Despite solar parks occupying a relatively small portion of land— only 0,3% of the EU’s total land would be needed for current and future solar projects (European Environmental Bureau, 2024)—the strategic siting and design of these facilities are crucial. The policy paper, drafted by Metabolic on behalf of SolarPower Europe and The Nature Conservancy, outlines how nature-inclusive solar parks can significantly contribute to the EU’s ambitious Nature Restoration Law, which aims to restore at least 20% of degraded land and sea by 2030 and all degraded ecosystems by 2050.

Need for clear policies

As the concept of nature-inclusive solar gains traction across the EU, there is a need now for clear policies to help define, incentivise and scale up. This can create a positive momentum towards developing more solar parks with truly nature-inclusive design while supporting renewable energy deployment and engaging with local communities at an early stage.

See also: Denmark: Agreement for nature-friendly renewable projects

To ensure that solar development creates a positive impact on biodiversity, creating an enabling policy framework is key. The paper highlights a significant policy gap within the EU. While some countries have incentive schemes for nature-inclusive solar, few have established a science-based method for these policies. The lack of a unified approach risks creating misalignment and uncertainty for developers and other involved stakeholders.

Policy recommendations

The policy paper makes a number of policy recommendations:
1. Create a common, clear and ambitious definition of nature-inclusive solar parks at EU level.
2. Provide solar park development guidance to avoid and minimise biodiversity loss in planning during and after the construction phase, alongside practices to restore, offset, and/or add (net gain) biodiversity.
3. Develop and implement a robust monitoring and evaluation system.

Nature Restoration Law

The full implementation of the Nature Restoration Law which came into effect on the 18th of August 2024 is crucial to restore the EU’s biodiversity and stop further biodiversity loss, to reach climate neutrality by 2050 and adapt to climate change. Two years after the entry into force of the Regulation, Member States shall submit their National Restoration Plan (NRP). These plans shall contain i.e. a map of the habitats that are not in good condition and that need to be restored by 2030 and shall also cover long-term restoration targets by 2050.

The regulation explicitly states that considering the importance of addressing consistently the dual challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change, the restoration of biodiversity should consider the deployment of renewable energy and vice versa. Combining restoration activities and the deployment of renewable energy projects should be favoured wherever possible, including in renewables acceleration areas and dedicated grid areas.

Solar and nature can work together, going beyond climate change mitigation to also protect biodiversity and restore vital ecosystems. The Nature Restoration Law can provide the right framework for stimulating a regenerative economy and promoting solar technologies compatible with nature. (hcn)

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Solar Energy

Denmark: Agreement for nature-friendly renewable projects

August 21, 2024 ryansheehanrts

European Energy and the Danish Society for Nature Conservation have developed a new nature agreement ensuring the restoration and protection of nature where it is most needed. Simultaneously, future renewable energy projects from European Energy in Denmark will take even greater consideration of Danish nature, in part by the partners developing biodiversity and nature initiatives targeted at energy parks.

The agreement contains nine joint guidelines for new renewable energy projects that European Energy will follow when developing solar and wind parks in Denmark.

Did you miss that? Denmark: New solar park promotes biodiversity

“Climate and biodiversity crises can have catastrophic consequences for life on the planet. The solutions to the climate crisis must not prevent us from simultaneously addressing the biodiversity crisis, or vice versa. Therefore, I hope that this agreement can help influence the entire energy sector. It is absolutely necessary that we consider nature from the outset when developing new renewable energy projects,” says Maria Reumert Gjerding, president of the Danish Society for Nature Conservation.

„Demonstrate that the fight for nature and climate can be united“

She continues: “Sometimes, public debate frames nature and climate action as opposites, suggesting that nature hinders the development of renewable energy. We, at the Danish Society for Nature Conservation and European Energy, regard this as a false dichotomy. With this agreement, we demonstrate that the fight for nature and climate can be united if one thinks carefully and makes an effort. Therefore, I am very proud of the agreement.”

European Energy has long focused on enhancing biodiversity and local nature in its projects. With the agreement with the Danish Society for Nature Conservation, the company hopes to benefit from the organization’s nationwide expertise in nature and looks forward to strengthened local collaboration.

For every 100 ha of a solar park 5 ha purchased for nature

“We are incredibly pleased that the agreement provides us closer cooperation with some of Denmark’s leading enthusiasts and experts in nature management and protection. This enables us to more positively impact local Danish nature and biodiversity when we develop and construct renewable energy projects,” says Thorvald Spanggaard, Executive Vice President of Project Development at European Energy.

Also interesting: “Dual use with animal husbandry has great potential”

A core element of the collaboration is to give nature more space, both within and outside project areas. This includes purchasing land for permanent restoration, protection, and management of wild nature. This means European Energy commits to purchasing land for permanent nature purposes every time a solar or wind park is built in Denmark. Specifically, for every 100 hectares of land European Energy uses for a solar park, five hectares of land will be purchased for nature. For each wind turbine installed, one hectare of land will be purchased. The land purchase will be conducted in collaboration with The Danish Nature Fund. (hcn)

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Solar Energy

Agri-PV park with PPA and more biodiversity

August 8, 2024 ryansheehanrts

In November 2022, the VELUX Group and BayWa r.e. announced the conclusion of a PPA on the basis of which two large PV solar parks were to be built in southern Spain: one in Gerena, near Seville, and one in Alhendín, near Granada. The park in Alhendín has now been completed and has recently started feeding electricity into the local grid.

With the full commissioning of Alhendín, the VELUX Group has not only achieved its goal of supplying itself with 100 percent renewable electricity, but has also enabled the construction of further renewable energy plants in Europe. The solar park consists of more than 85,000 solar modules and produces 96.8 GWh of electricity per year. This corresponds to the electricity consumption of 24,700 European households.

Innovative agri-PV system

Part of Alhendín combines agriculture with renewable energy generation as an agri-PV plant and is BayWa r.e.’s first agri-PV project in Spain: Agricultural machinery can now drive between the rows of solar modules on around 10 percent of the area.

“The completion of the Alhendín solar park and its connection to the Spanish electricity grid will enable VELUX to achieve its green energy supply targets,” says Kim Jonas, Energy & Climate Director of the VELUX Group. “The project, which focuses on agricultural use and biodiversity, fits perfectly with our ambition to drive climate action and improve biodiversity. Together with BayWa r.e., we are implementing the Solar Plant Symbiosis concept, which enables solar energy production in harmony with nature and the local population.”

Also see: Agrisolar: New digital map presents European projects

Daniel Gäfke, Global Director of Projects and Member of the Board of Management of BayWa r.e., adds: “We are delighted to be able to support VELUX in achieving the target of 100 percent renewable electricity for its European sites. This is also an important milestone for BayWa r.e. to accelerate the energy transition in companies in order to achieve global climate targets. Just like VELUX, our approach is to go beyond the usual standards. Therefore, in this project, we will implement pioneering Agri-PV concepts that enhance biodiversity, promote local stakeholder engagement, and maximize local value creation.”

Solar Plant Symbiosis

The Solar Plant Symbiosis concept includes a series of measures to promote biodiversity and the involvement of local stakeholders. It was developed by the Universidad de Córdoba and the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and so far includes the following measures as part of the project:

– Baseline surveys, digitization and monitoring of vegetation

– Agri-PV system and rainwater collection system

– Grass planting with natural seeds and wildflower species

– Shelters for wildlife, ponds for amphibians, bird baths, nesting boxes and posts

– Breeding site to protect the endangered lesser kestrel species

– Improvement of the steppe habitat

– Monitoring and evaluation of the measures to create a guide that can be used to adopt best practice in other projects

– Social actions on the ground, such as workshops with local stakeholders and school visits

Next steps

The measures are to be gradually implemented at the Alhendín solar park by spring 2025. The second PV project of the collaboration, the Gerena solar park, is currently still awaiting official approval on site and is scheduled for completion in 2025. The park is expected to have an output of 60 MWp.

When both solar plants are fully operational, they will generate 167 GWh of renewable electricity for VELUX every year. This corresponds to the electricity consumption of around 45,000 European households. Around 80 percent of the electricity generated will go to VELUX via the PPA and will reduce the VELUX Group’s carbon footprint in Europe by around 40,000 tons of CO2 annually.

More at Intersolar Europe

BayWa r.e. will be presenting its comprehensive product and service portfolio in the PV sector at the Intersolar Europe trade fair in Munich (Hall A4, Stand 180) from June 19-21. Among other things, visitors will be able to view an agri-PV system in the outdoor area, which will be installed by BayWa r.e. together with partners. (hcn)

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