Freimersheim solar park

The Freimersheim solar park operated by JUWI GmbH is located around 100 metres south-west of the Rhineland-Palatinate town of Freimersheim. It was commissioned in 2012 and covers 11.7 hectares along a railway line. It is one of the oldest facilities in our study. The wide gravel paths and partial gravel between the rows of modules are striking.

Operator

JUWI GmbH

Performance

8 MW

Size

12 ha

In operation since

2012

Federal state

Rhineland-Palatinate

Coordinates

49.7024125693 - 8.06881130449

Previous utilisation

Arable land

These species groups were analysed here:
Species groups	Investigated
Plants	✔
Locusts	✔
Butterfly	✔
Dragonflies
Reptiles	✔
Amphibians
Birds	✔
Bats	✔
Miscellaneous

✔ = Investigation conducted only for the study
✔ = Investigation carried out on behalf of the operators

Natural environment and special features

Natural space

Upper Rhine lowlands and Rhine-Main lowlands

Surroundings

The site is surrounded by agricultural landscape with a high proportion of rapeseed. A dense hedge structure with scattered trees (overstorey) runs to the south of the site. A little-used railway line runs parallel to and in the immediate vicinity of the hedge structure. The EU bird sanctuary "Ackerplateau zwischen Ilbesheim und Flomborn" begins to the south of the railway line. There is another PV system to the west of the plant. The railway line, the hedge structure and the PV system under investigation are located in a slight valley in relation to the wider surroundings. There are no notable bodies of water in the immediate vicinity of the plant.

Relief

The site is located at around 280 metres above sea level on a gentle slope and slopes down towards the east.

Biotope

Arable land, <1% Grass tracks

Floor

Soil type

Pararendzina of loess alternating with Rendzina of marl and limestone

Soil type

Clay slurries

Construction method

GRZ

0.5

Row spacing

Sunlit strip

2.9m

Tilt angle Module tables

25°

Modules on top of each other

8 pieces

Distance between the modules

10mm

Description of the racks

The frame is a double-post frame driven into the ground.

Type of modules

The modules are polycrystalline and monofacial.

Paths

New paths were created. All of the development paths within the building boundary that did not yet exist were paved as gravelled turf.

Structural features

There are varying row spacings of 3.6 to 5.5 metres in the system. The fence also has a 15 cm high passage for small animals.

Management

Mowing

The area is mowed twice a year. The first time in May or June and the second time in August or September. It is mulched as required using flail mowers and swivel discs with sickle mowers. The tramlines are mown first. The mowing under the tables then follows with a two-week delay.

Sowing regional seeds

Yes, the following condition was observed: The extensive grassland of medium locations must be sown with autochthonous certified wild plant seed (mown material). An autochthonous seed mixture should be used here. The seed mixtures must bear the "VWW-Regiosaaten®" certificate guaranteeing origin and quality. When selecting, attention must be paid to the production area no. 6 Southwest German mountain and hill country with Upper Rhine Graben and the region of origin no. 9 Upper Rhine Graben with Saar Palatinate mountain country.

Removal of the mown material

Equalisation measures

Information on compensatory measures

The following compensatory measures were implemented:

Measure 1: Within the special area for photovoltaics, all unsealed areas are to be developed as rough grassland and extensively maintained (with the exception of the areas for the shrub hedges, paths and access roads).

Measure 2: At least one three-row shrub hedge with a total planting area of 3,500 m² must be planted in sections in the north between the module areas and the neighbouring farmland and farm tracks. The width including the border is 8 metres. The north-western section of the northern boundary is excluded from the planting, as a biotope-mapped hedge already exists here. The planting measures should be completed no later than two years after the start of construction. Shrub groups in the south, west and east (total area of at least 1,250 m²). The minimum length of the individual groups of bushes should be 20 metres.

The compensatory measures for habitat loss of the species skylark (4 territories), grey wagtail (2 territories) and grey partridge (3 territories) are to be implemented by the farmers in the area of the bird sanctuary as farm-integrated measures (management measures). Extensive management of the remaining areas in the solar park has also been specified.

External CEF measure: 5 flower strips 100 metres long and 10 metres wide (including 2 metres of fallow land) and 5 skylark windows. According to the environmental report, the measure is also intended to compensate for the loss of territories of grey wagtails and grey partridges.