Several energy companies are demanding subsidies for solar systems on set-aside fields. The 17 companies are targeting areas that, according to EU regulations, should no longer be used for agriculture in order to increase biological diversity (biodiversity). “This makes a lot of sense, as it enables efficient use of land and increases the acceptance required by citizens, farmers and municipalities for the expansion of renewables,” says the position paper published on Friday. Munich-based Baywa re, EnBW, Eon Solar and Vattenfall signed it, among others. So far, solar open-space systems have been common on agricultural land, where the farmers no longer grow anything, but only produce electricity. “Biodiversity photovoltaics” would mean that the farmers can combine a solar system with extensive – i.e. not intensively operated – agriculture. In practical terms, this means that the rows of solar panels are spaced much further apart than in ground-mounted systems, and rainwater can reach the ground anywhere. Agricultural areas used in this way could regenerate over decades, argued Matthias Taft, the head of Baywa re. “No additional agricultural land is required for the ambitious PV expansion targets.” The abbreviation PV stands for photovoltaics, which means the conversion of sunlight into electrical energy using solar cells.
Companies want solar funding for arable land – economy
