Study sets priorities for photovoltaic areas

22.12.2025

Source: E & M powernews

In a new factsheet, the Federal Environment Agency shows how Germany can greatly expand photovoltaics by 2040 without significantly damaging nature and agriculture.

An ambitious expansion of solar energy in Germany is possible without endangering ecologically or agriculturally valuable areas on a large scale. This is the conclusion of a recent analysis by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) in Dessau (Saxony-Anhalt). In a new factsheet, the federal authority describes how photovoltaics can be expanded in a way that protects both nature and land.

The background to this is the aim of the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) to increase the installed capacity of photovoltaic systems from the current 112,000 MW to 400,000 MW by 2040. According to the UBA, solar energy plays a key role in advancing climate protection and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. The selection of suitable areas is crucial here.

Priority for areas that are already sealed

The authority believes that photovoltaic systems should primarily be installed on roofs and on areas that are already sealed or contaminated. These include parking lots, landfills, industrial and commercial areas. According to the UBA, these locations cause the least additional impact on nature and the landscape and make efficient use of existing areas.

In order to achieve the expansion targets on time, the UBA believes that additional open space plants are essential. However, agricultural land should only be used if other options are not sufficient. In this case, the authority recommends choosing areas with low to medium soil quality and low ecological importance.

Areas sensitive to nature conservation and particularly fertile soils should therefore be kept free. Bundling photovoltaics with existing infrastructure, for example along freeways, could also help to reduce the fragmentation of habitats.

Recommendations for agri-PV

According to the publication, UBA President Dirk Messner emphasizes that wind and solar energy not only contribute to climate protection, but also enable a cost-effective and environmentally friendly energy supply. At the same time, it is possible to set up photovoltaic systems in such a way that the soil remains fertile and near-natural areas are preserved. According to the UBA, even when implemented in an environmentally friendly manner, photovoltaics generate many times more electricity per hectare than the cultivation of energy crops.

The factsheet entitled "Photovoltaics on the field? - A position paper" also specifies concrete environmental criteria for ground-mounted systems. For example, modules and auxiliary systems should not cover more than 60 percent of the area. In addition, biodiversity-friendly vegetation management, the passage of animals and biotope elements such as flower strips on at least ten percent of the plant area are envisaged. Drained peatlands are to be excluded as a matter of principle, with the exception of special peatland PV projects that provide for rewetting.

Another key element is the promotion of agri-PV. These systems combine agricultural use and electricity generation on the same area. According to the UBA, they can stabilize yields by protecting crops and animals from extreme weather events, while at the same time supplying electricity in a very area-efficient manner.

Growing fewer energy crops

In view of these efficiency advantages, the Federal Environment Agency recommends significantly reducing the cultivation of bioenergy crops. According to the paper, conventional ground-mounted PV systems supply 28 to 50 times more electricity per hectare than maize or other energy crops. The land freed up could be used for food production, nature conservation measures and strengthening the climate resilience of agricultural soils.

Overall, the UBA concludes that only around 0.5 percent of the federal area would be required to achieve the expansion targets if roof and open spaces were used to roughly the same extent. The expansion of photovoltaics can therefore be designed in such a way that climate protection, agriculture and nature conservation remain compatible.

The position paper "Photovoltaics on the field?-AUBAposition paper" on photovoltaics is available on the Internet.

Author: Susanne Harmsen