Solar parks and biodiversity: context matters

The rapid expansion of solar energy production across Europe has raised concerns about its compatibility with biodiversity conservation. Solar parks can offer opportunities for nature restoration within intensively used landscapes, yet their ecological value strongly depends on design, land-use history, and management. Understanding these factors is essential for integrating biodiversity objectives into the energy transition.
We investigated biodiversity patterns across existing solar parks differing in land-use origin, including former agricultural land and brownfields. The study focused on multiple taxonomic groups— vascular plants, birds, butterflies, spiders, epigeic arthropods and pollinators—to identify both effective and feasible measures supporting biodiversity under real-world management conditions.
Field surveys were conducted in a representative set of operational solar parks in Central Europe. Species richness and community composition were related to local factors such as vegetation structure and mowing frequency, as well as to the surrounding landscape context. We also examined how the land-use origin of each site influences its current biodiversity potential.
Our results reveal that biodiversity within solar parks is highly variable and shaped by both local management and broader landscape characteristics. Pollinators and vascular plants were the most sensitive indicators, responding positively to extensive management and habitat heterogeneity. In contrast, birds were less diverse, and their occurrence was more constrained by potential barrier effects. The origin of the site—brownfield versus former farmland—proved to be a significant predictor of overall diversity and species composition.
We conclude that biodiversity-friendly management of solar parks cannot follow a universal model. Measures must respect the ecological context of the surrounding landscape, the site’s history, and ongoing maintenance regimes. Increasing structural and habitat heterogeneity appears to be the most effective way to enhance biodiversity. However, the key challenge lies in motivating park owners and operators to implement such measures, ensuring that ecological benefits become an integral part of solar energy development.