Under the heading "Research & practice in dialogue - Biodiversity & agricultural added value in solar parks" have been recognised at the Forum Solar Plus On 19 November, the Federal Association of the New Energy Economy presented two important projects to an interested audience: Firstly, the Results of the nationwide field study "Biodiversity in the solar park"on the other hand, the investigations of the research project "Agricultural value of solar park areas".

Results of the study "Biodiversity in solar parks"

In the first part Biologist Rolf Peschel findings relevant to operators from the nationwide field study "Biodiversity in the solar park". The focus was on the species and species groups that are particularly relevant for authorisation Bats and skylarksas there are very different levels of knowledge in this regard. Mr Peschel emphasised the Relevance of site diversity in solar parks and their attractiveness for various species groups. He also named success factors for how biodiversity can be favoured in solar parks - for example through a Individualised care concept and the use of native seeds.

A close look at the biomass in the solar park

Afterwards Dr Dina Hamidi (University of Göttingen) and Dr Christoph Hütt (University of Cologne) will present her research project "Agricultural value of solar park areas" before. Firstly, they described the Initial situation, research questions and methodologybefore the first findings were derived. While Dr Hamidi worked intensively on the Quality and species composition of the grassland in solar parks, Dr Hütt uses innovative laser scanning technology to analyse the Quantity of biomass under and between the solar modules. The researchers are currently still in the process of analysing all the data collected - nevertheless, it was possible to conclude, for example, that Forage availability and quality of grassland in solar parks sufficient for grazing with sheep and cattle is.

How can the research results be used in practice?

In order to bridge the gap to practice, the two operators discussed René Nissen (Wattmanufactur) and Karl-Heinz Remmers (pv-project) with Bernhard Strohmayer (bne), why grassland in solar parks should also receive more political attention. Both projects show that Potential of solar parks for biodiversity and agriculture - Nevertheless, this is not yet sufficiently recognised by the authorities and legislators. René Nissen emphasised that the Agricultural use of the solar park areas also legally classified as agriculture should be. Karl-Heinz Remmers emphasised that the investment in Research in solar parks essential to obtain reliable data. This would help to dispel the reservations that sometimes exist and objectify the debate surrounding the expansion of solar parks. The panellists agreed that the research results would help the Emphasising the multiple benefits of solar parks. The discussion was moderated by Tina Barroso (Conexio).

We would like to thank the speakers and participants for their commitment and are looking forward to the final results of Dr Hamidi and Dr Hütt's research project.

Background:

The Bundesverband Neue Energiewirtschaft supports research into biodiversity and agricultural use in solar parks in order to demonstrate the potential of solar park areas. The expansion of solar parks is land-intensive and only works with the acceptance of the population. In order to make a contribution here, both research projects provide evidence-based results on biodiversity and biomass quality in solar parks.