Biodiversity
Biodiversity in the solar park - A nationwide field study
The Bundesverband Neue Energiewirtschaft e.V. (bne) is analysing biodiversity in modern solar parks throughout Germany. The research took place in summer 2024 and has now been published in a comprehensive publication.
Solar parks support biodiversity in our cultural landscape
For the "Biodiversity in solar parks" study, a total of 24 solar parks in ten federal states in Germany and a tracker system in Denmark analysed. The results were supplemented by investigations and analyses of other solar parks, which is why the study includes data from a total of around 30 solar parks.
The Solar parks of modern design have been Different species groups analysed and were for the most part on agricultural land. This is because solar parks on agricultural land have now become the standard and represent the focus of expansion in Germany.
The study records the Current state of biodiversity in solar parks and creates an urgently needed data basis. For each solar park, the expert reports and other available information are summarised in an investigation report prepared by the authors. These reports and the data collected by the experts are summarised for each solar park in a Profile published. The findings of these reports, the expert opinions and the species survey data will be published in the complete work "Biodiversity in Solar Parks - A Nationwide Field Study" on 27 March 2025. The authors and biologists Dr Tim Peschel, Peschel Ökologie und Umwelt, and Rolf Peschel, project sponsor, coordinated, implemented and wrote both studies (2019 & 2025). The analyses were carried out by the two study authors and commissioned expert offices.
Initial findings as early as 2019
The nationwide field study "Biodiversity in solar parks" is the continuation of the bne biodiversity study from 2019which significantly shaped the topic of biodiversity in solar parks at the time. The 2019 study already showed the value of solar parks for biodiversity. However, the investigations focussed mainly on Solar parks on conversion sites and in the new federal states.
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Solar park hunting ground: What bats find attractive about the installations
Recording now available - Webinar "Solar parks - hunting grounds for bats"
PV expansion in Germany: Important facts explained simply
Field study "Biodiversity in the solar park" - These species groups were analysed
Bats in the solar park - presentations on the study (6/6)
Planning-relevant information from the study - Presentations on the study (5/6)
Solar parks as attractive habitats - presentations on the study (4/6)
Birds and solar parks - presentations on the study (3/6)
Panel discussion with nature conservation, business and politics - Presentations on the study (2/6)
The authors present their study results - Lectures on the study (1/6)
Review: bne conference "Biodiversity in solar parks" - all presentations now available // 27.03.2025
Solar parks support biodiversity in our cultural landscape
Study publication on "Biodiversity in solar parks" on 27 March 2025
Interim report on the study: Biodiversity in solar parks - a nationwide field study
Study results
Key findings
A total of 385 plant species, 30 grasshopper species, 36 butterfly and damselfly species, three reptile species, 32 breeding bird species and 63 bird species as foraging guests and 13 bat species. In addition 13 dragonfly species and eight amphibian species. The study comprises over 100 individual investigations and a total of 40 investigation reports.
Solar parks offer a structural diversity that is lacking in today's agricultural landscape and favours biodiversity. This is demonstrated by the following key findings of the study:
- The Maintenance of a solar park has a greater influence on biodiversity than the construction method itself.
- Flexible mowing dates are important in view of climate change.
- The Solar parks differ greatly from one anothereven for systems that are located in a similar area and were built in the same way. The differences indicate that solar parks require individual maintenance concepts.
- Wider spacing between the module rows favour the build-up of biomass.
- Many species groups use solar parks as a habitatsome very quickly after construction (e.g. bats) and in large populations (e.g. grasshoppers).
- Skylarks were sometimes found in large populationswhich is why equalisation could also take place within the plant if necessary.
- Bats actively use solar parks as hunting grounds and more than neighbouring arable land.
Biodiversity in the solar park
What exactly was analysed?
In 2024, of the solar parks in the study Data on fauna and flora was surveyed. The animal groups surveyed included
- Locusts,
- Butterfly,
- Reptiles,
- Birds,
- Bats.
If bodies of water are present in the ground-mounted PV systems (PVA), these were analysed for the presence of Dragonflies and amphibians analysed. For all solar parks, the botanical features and structural elements relevant for biodiversity recorded.
Documents for download
Do you have questions about the study? Please send us a message to info@sonne-sammeln.de.
study publication
Download study
Biodiversity in solar parks - a nationwide field study
Abstract: Biodiversity in solar parks - a nationwide field study
More documents
Fact paper: Solar parks as an opportunity for biodiversity
Profiles of the solar parks analysed
The data basis for the field study is provided by surveys from around 30 Ground-mounted PV systems in 10 federal states in Germany and one PV-Tracker system in Denmark. Expert analyses were carried out at 24 of these solar parks between April and September 2024. Additional documents and expert reports from other solar parks were also included.
Peak power
Solar park photos for download
study "biodiversity in the solar park"
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