The latest project: 17 hectares near Harrbach. A good example to let opponents and supporters have their say and to discuss the effects on flora and fauna.
Photo: Jennifer Weidle
Solar parks, so-called open space systems (FFA), are important for climate protection. A new plant is to be built on 17 hectares in Harrbach. How an FFA affects flora and fauna is discussed differently. Regional agriculture sees itself as a loser. Climate protection experts see the systems as indispensable.
They are not pretty to look at: shiny solar panels, lined up close together and surrounded by a high fence. They are often spoken of as landscape disfigurement. Farmers complain that they are destroying valuable arable land that is urgently needed for cultivation. Elmar Konrad, managing director of the Bavarian Farmers’ Association in Wrzburg and Main-Spessart, criticizes the area of the solar parks. Agricultural areas were lost especially along traffic routes. An end is not in sight.
Farmers criticize the consumption of valuable soils
“At the moment, numerous really large-scale FFA plants (20 to 60 hectares each, editor’s note) are being planned and implemented throughout the Main-Spessart district,” says Konrad. The farmers’ association criticized the area consumption of around 15 hectares a day in Bavaria for buildings. “We need the land to produce high quality agricultural products and we also need the land to preserve biodiversity.” Contrary to popular belief, numerous species depend on the cultivation of the fields. “Farmers can also protect species and prove this every day.”
Is a solar park in a meadow better than a field that is fertilized and sprayed? Hartwig Brnner of the Landesbund für Vogelschutz (LBV) in Lohr cannot confirm this directly. FFA could have positive effects on the surrounding nature, he says. But here it is all about accompanying planning. Brnner: “You can integrate strips of flowers or piles of stones so that sand lizards can settle down.”
Vogelschtzer prefer solar parks to wind turbines
In any case, he prefers solar parks to wind wheels. Although these would provide more energy in the given area, they were proven death traps for bats and birds. “I only had two red kite finds in Steinfeld and Thngersheim. In reality there are probably more animals, but I can’t find all of them. The fox also eats.”
“Basically, it always depends on which habitat you destroy by building a solar park,” said Brnner. For this purpose, species protection law tests are necessary to determine which species are in the planned area. “I suspect that there could be skylarks on the area in Harrbach. This should be checked.” For example, there is a special species protection law test (SAP).
Thomas Jungkunz, project developer at Sdwerk, who would like to use the area in Harrbach for his photovoltaic system, has such concerns in mind. “Possible local ecological negative effects can be compensated for by creating compensatory measures in coordination with the Lower Nature Conservation Authority. This will be project-specific depending on the local flora and fauna.”
Project developer refers to Greenland framework area
In Harrbach, this is initially planned as follows: the fence has a clearance of 15 centimeters. So small animals can continue to use the area. Jungkunz further states: Auen around the plant should be an “approximately 30 meters wide, not fenced area”. This would be used as extensive grassland and would be accessible to all living things.
It will not be a feast for the eyes in the idyllic clearing near Harrbach. The residents of the municipality of Adelsberg have a clear view when they look to the south.
Photo: Jennifer Weidle
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Despite all objections, Michael Kohlbrecher, climate protection officer for Main-Spessart, is convinced that the construction of FFA is necessary. Without them there would be no way to a cleaner and therefore better future. For the energy transition and the climate goals of the Main-Spessart district, it is urgently necessary to build such systems. In addition to those on rooftops.
Kohlbrecher: You need both FFA and systems on the roofs
He does not believe that it is an alternative to use the house roofs that are still available instead of the FFA. You need both, but “with a system like in Harrbach, a large amount of energy is connected to the grid quickly and in one fell swoop”. In addition, the house owners would first have to play a role in the photovoltaic systems on roofs. “Many are afraid of the bureaucracy associated with a PV system,” he regrets.
“The best thing is the energy that is not needed,” says the 38-year-old, “but nobody wants to restrict himself.” You have to bite into the sour apple and accept the blue sea from solar panels. And look at the surfaces with different eyes. Kohlbrecher: “Beauty is subjective. You can take a look at the facility and see an eyesore. Or you can see that this will enable your children and grandchildren to have a future worth living in. That is also beauty.”
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Adelsberg
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Harrbach
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Jennifer Weidle
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Conservation
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biodiversity
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Bavarian Farmers’ Association
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Climate protection
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Farmers and farmers
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Agriculture
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Agricultural products
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Nature protection authorities
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Bird protection
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Vogelschtzer
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Wind power plants
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