Solar Ecosystems – Restoring nature alongside solar power

Introduction

Solar energy plays  a vital role in achieving Europe’s energy transition. The EU plans to at least double solar capacity to 320GW by 2025 and almost 600-GW by 2030. Meanwhile, as many wildlife populations continue in free fall – with an average decline in global wildlife populations of 69% since 1970 (WWF)- the EU Nature Restoration Law seeks to give nature the space needed to recover.

This is, however, a false dichotomy. Restoring biodiversity and expanding renewable energy infrastructure do not need to be at odds with one another.

The fifth webinar in our ‘Energy & Nature’ series examines how solar parks, when properly sited, designed and managed, can create new opportunities to restore ecosystems, allow biodiversity to thrive, and overcome spatial conflicts.

For example, wide spacing between rows of solar panels, coupled with ecological vegetation management creates open, sunny habitats for a plethera of flora and fauna. In the right places, smaller facilities can act as stepping stone biotopes, while well-managed larger facilities can promote viable populations of, for example, reptiles and breeding birds.

Join us on Thursday 23rd February 11:00 – 12:30CET to discuss best practices on how to better use land to promote both renewable energy and biodiversity. The speakers will be:

Carla Freund

Policy Officer for nature-friendly energy transition in Europe, Nature Conservation and Biodiversity Union (NABU)

As her title suggests, Carla is an expert on methods to ensure that energy infrastructure works in harmony with nature.

Lina Dubina

Project Coordinator for sustainability | SolarPower Europe (SPE)

Lina co-ordinated the landmark tool-box report by SPE and BirdLife on Solar, Biodiversity and Land Use.

Thies Jensen

Assistant Manager | Wattmanufactur GmbH

Wattmanufactur operate two solar parks in Schlesweig-Holstein, which take different approaches to promoting biodiversity and climate resilience, including one park on rewetted moorland.

Following presentations by each of the speakers, we will enter into a 30-minute open discussion round.