Baywa r.e.'s first Agri-PV plant in Spain has a capacity of 54 MW and takes biodiversity into account for the environment. The project is financed through a PPA with the VELUX Group. With the Alhendín project, VELUX has achieved its goal of 100 per cent green electricity. The system consists of three different PV technologies: fixed-mounted solar modules, tracking solar modules and agri-PV, and has more than 85,000 solar modules that produce 96.8 GWh of electricity per year. This covers the electricity consumption of around 24,700 households.
Biodiversity and involvement of local farmers
Around ten per cent of the solar park is designed so that agricultural machinery can drive between the solar modules. The agricultural land is left as it is or used for hay production so that no chemicals are required for the entire service life of the agri-PV system.
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The harvest is then harvested in spring, with the agricultural work being carried out by local farmers. ‘The solar park includes a comprehensive package of social and environmental measures to improve local biodiversity and promote community engagement,’ says Rafael Esteban, Managing Director of Baywa r.e. in Spain.
A refuge for wild animals
A number of environmental and biodiversity measures are planned at Alhendín. The team has already installed a vegetation screen or perimeter planting around the solar park, which will act as a haven for wildlife and improve landscape integration. In October and November, the agricultural part of the site was planted with forage plants such as grassland, wild species and flowers. These promote the integration of the solar park into the natural environment and support the development of pollinating insects.
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Baywa r.e. has also installed a breeding infrastructure in one of the two nesting towers built for the native lesser kestrel in order to promote the establishment of the species in the area. Other measures include the collection of rainwater and the installation of wildlife reserves, drinking water tanks, ponds, nesting boxes and perches.
Pupils will be informed about the project
Camera traps will be used to monitor land mammals, while line transects will be carried out to monitor rabbit populations. To ensure that the native birds in the region can be observed and thrive, listening points are set up and passive recorders are installed.
In addition, there are measures to involve local people, including information talks with local communities. Several school trips are also planned for spring 2025. Experts from the solar park will also inform pupils from the local schools in Alhendín and La Malahá about the project. (nhp)
