The project developer and operator of solar plants WI Energy, together with Atmosfair and the mail order company Otto, have developed concepts for the renaturation of two solar parks. This is intended to increase biodiversity on the photovoltaic project areas. For this purpose, WI Energy together with Atmosfair will implement appropriate measures on the two solar park areas totalling more than 4.5 hectares in Gröningen in the Harz region and in Beilingen in the Eifel region.
Creating flowering meadows and habitats for animals
WI Energy has installed a total of 10,817 solar modules in the two solar parks. These generate over 5,993,445 kilowatt hours of green electricity every year. Since the solar modules do this silently and without any movement, flora and fauna can reestablish themselves. But the project partners will support this. Flowering meadows, for example, will be prepared, planted and managed and maintained for a period of one to three years. "Seeding the meadows and installing bird of prey perches, life towers, lizard habitats and bee hotels revitalises the natural biocircuits," explains Manuel Nilles, project manager at WI Energy.
Insects find plenty of food
The growing pasture landscapes then serve as habitat and food for many animal and plant species and promote biodiversity. Insects and bee colonies find plenty of nectar and pollen on the cultivated flowers and use the meadows to lay their eggs. From the rubble of the cultivated areas, numerous structures and shelters are created as new habitats for more animals. "In this way, we revitalise the former wasteland when fauna and flora awaken and peacefully surround our photovoltaic plants," says Nilles.
Seeds are certified
The WI Energy staff is now preparing the areas and taking specific management measures. The flowering meadows are sown in the periods from March to May and August to October. Seeds specially intended and certified for this purpose are available. In addition, four to six management rounds take place throughout the year, depending on the location.
Six more sites are on the list
The solar parks in Beilingen and Gröningen are the first two of a total of eight sites whose areas the project partners want to renaturalise. The total area involved is about 25 hectares. The sites are expected to be located in Helvesiek in Lower Saxony, in Kröv in the Palatinate, in the Brandenburg communities of Diedersdorf, Treuenbrietzen and Linthe, and in Nordhausen in Thuringia. Atmosfair organised the project, while WI Energy took over the implementation. Otto will finance the renaturation as part of its customer loyalty programme Otto Up. (su/mfo)
See also:
Reconcile climate action and efforts to rebuild biodiversity
49.9 MW solar farm with biodiversity enhancements
Agrivoltaics brings together agriculture and power generation
