Biodiversity Action Plan for a solar park

A model for sustainable energy development.

Partner: BE - Bioinsight & Ecoa Ambiental
Location: Algarve, Portugal
Timeframe: 2023 - ongoing

Biodiverse grassland in between solar panels.

The challenge

To demonstrate that a photovoltaic solar plant may become an ecosystem where nature can thrive.

The application of nature-based solutions, like extensive soil grazing to preserve organic soil conditions, the restoration of water lines, the promotion of biodiverse pastures, are being implemented.

The main goal is to monitor how this ecosystem is evolving, using a very strict monitorisation plan, with targets, metrics, indicators and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) well identified and monitored along the years.

What was done

BE (Bioinsight & Ecoa Ambiental) is implementing the Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) for a large-scale photovoltaic project in southeastern Portugal. The project’s objectives are to integrate renewable energy production with biodiversity conservation and social acceptance by achieving Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and, when dismantled the photovoltaic infrastructures, leave the area in a better ecological state than before its construction.

The project is being implemented since 2023, through an adaptive management framework, supported by ecological monitoring using camera trapping, acoustic sensors for birds and bats and eDNA analysis. All the data is translated into comprehensive reports and dashboards to inform the client about the outcomes of the BAP.

1 A comprehensive review of international best practices, including regulation and scientific papers about BNG and BAPs developed in other countries.
2 The development of the concept of a Smart Power Plant for Biodiversity: the solar plant is part of the ecosystem designed for that territory.
3 The definition of measurable biodiversity targets (habitats, emblematic species), metrics and KPIs.
4 The implementation of BNG actions.

Rockrose shrubland before construction — The original ecosystem before the construction of the photovoltaic solar plant was composed mostly of rockrose plants.

Methods used

Monitoring how the ecosystem evolves.

Camera trapping
Acoustic sensors for birds and bats
Soil sampling for eDNA analysis of soil biota
eDNA analysis for pollinators
Refuges for arthropods
Refuges for bats and birds
Visual and acoustic bird surveys (point counts)

Collecting soil samples for eDNA analysis of soil biota.

A curious fox on a camera trap — Camera trapping of a very curious fox.

An Iberian lynx inside the solar plant — Camera trapping: an Iberian lynx inside the photovoltaic solar plant.

A partridge near a water pond inside the solar plant — Camera trapping of a partridge near a water pond inside the photovoltaic solar plant.

Outcome

Biodiversity rose consistently.

Soil biotic diversity
Plant species
Bird species
Bat species
Pollinators

Two years after implementation of the Biodiversity Action Plan at the photovoltaic solar plant, soil parameters, like organic matter, increased in comparison with reference conditions, the natural biodiverse grasslands, due to the replacement of heavy-machinery use by the extensive grazing.

The presence of the Iberian wild rabbit inside the photovoltaic solar plant is a good indicator for the use of this infrastructure by apex species like the Iberian lynx and of Bonelli’s, imperial, and golden eagles, detected close to the area.

These results confirm measurable ecological improvement, operational efficiency, and compliance with European conservation standards, reinforcing our client’s reporting on biodiversity and establishing a replicable model for nature-positive solar development.

Supports reporting under ESGCSRDTNFDESRS E4

Biodiversity Action Plan for a solar park

To demonstrate that a photovoltaic solar plant may become an ecosystem where nature can thrive.

Monitoring how the ecosystem evolves.

Biodiversity rose consistently.

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