Biodiversity, agriculture and free-range hens in the PV park

In the innovative Tützpatz agri-PV project, up to 15,000 laying hens use the space between elevated solar modules. The animals find optimal conditions there between sunny spots, shade and stables. Two other sections of the park, which comprises a total of 146,000 solar modules, are used for arable farming, with a four-part crop rotation of peas, oats, wheat and barley.

In addition to eggs and grain, we harvest electricity on the 130 football field-sized area: We have a nominal output of 76 MWp and supply PASM Power and Air Condition Solution Management, a subsidiary of Telekom. This green electricity can supply around 4,600 mobile phone sites. This shows how we enable long-term electricity partnerships with such projects and promote the integration of renewable energies into industrial applications.

Very close to Tützpatz, we are building a large battery storage facility, probably in Breesen at the Friedrichsruh substation. It will be operated for the benefit of the grid, has a capacity of around 50 MW and is scheduled to go into operation in 2027, according to our plans. Such storage facilities are an important component in ensuring grid stability and increasing flexibility for the growing share of renewable energies.

Juliusburg-Krukow biodiversity PV park

Another of our PV parks in Juliusburg and Krukow in Schleswig-Holstein is dedicated to countless small and large animals and the diversity of the ecosystem. Here, too, the focus is firmly on biodiversity.

First, the facts about electricity: Vattenfall is building a biodiversity PV park with an installed capacity of around 80 MWp on a total area of 74 hectares. In purely mathematical terms, this will enable more than 30,000 households to be supplied with emission-free electricity and save around 67,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year.

This park is also part of our expansion in the solar energy sector. The energy generated is integrated into the market through long-term electricity supply contracts (Corporate Power Purchase Agreements, CPPAs). One example: Evonik has already signed a contract for electricity from this Vattenfall solar park – an indication of the growing importance of such solutions for industry.

And now to the biological facts: A particular focus of the project is on promoting biodiversity, which will go far beyond the minimum legal requirements. Vattenfall has therefore commissioned Game Conservancy Deutschland e.V. to provide biological support for the project and collect extensive data.

Birds and bats

Over the past two years, territory mapping and six inspections have been carried out. So far, a total of 55 bird species have been identified and 28 bird species with breeding territories have been mapped. We saw partridges, grey herons, buzzards, skylarks, red-backed shrikes and barn owls there.
To track down bats, we used listening boxes, which are currently being evaluated with the help of AI.

Mammals

To detect mammals, we set up 20 wildlife cameras in the project area. These recorded roe deer, wild boar, fallow deer, hares, foxes and other mammals. The detailed evaluation is still ongoing.
 

Insects

In order to record the diversity of insects in the sub-areas, Barber traps and air collectors were set up in addition to visual observations and net catches. The evaluation of insect and spider species is also still ongoing.

Life in the soil

• Soil life was systematically examined at 69 locations on the study areas using soil sample drills. Ecological DNA analysis (eDNA) was then used to determine the microbiome – i.e. the totality of all microorganisms in the soil.
• The results will be used to detect and interpret possible changes in soil life in the coming years.
• The good news is that the extensification of land use through the open-space PV system could bring about a positive change in the soil microbiome.

After evaluating all the studies, we will draw up a catalogue of measures and a maintenance concept for the plant area. Our aim is to protect existing biodiversity and rare and endangered species and, if possible, to increase genetic diversity.

Potential of agri-PV

Although only around 400 megawatts of Germany's total installed PV capacity of 100,000 megawatts has been implemented as agri-PV to date, the potential for ‘double harvesting is enormous.^[1] Studies by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) in Freiburg estimate that agricultural land offers a potential of up to 500,000 megawatts of peak solar capacity.^[2]

For our customers, this means that we can offer green electricity from such projects via long-term corporate power purchase agreements (CPPAs). Companies such as Evonik already use electricity from Vattenfall PV plants via corporate PPAs. With the expansion of agri-PV and biodiversity parks, we are creating additional options for our customers to achieve their climate targets. At the same time, we are developing battery storage systems to increase security of supply and offer flexible products.

In addition, we also offer project developers the opportunity to purchase the electricity produced by their PV parks through direct marketing.

Do you have any questions about our PV parks? Feel free to contact us!

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^[1] https://www.klimareporter.de/landwirtschaft/doppelte-ernte-auf-dem-acker

^[2] https://www.ise.fraunhofer.de/de/presse-und-medien/presseinformationen/2025/fraunhofer-ise-ausgruendung-flaechenpotenzial-fuer-agri-photovoltaik-in-deutschland-uebertrifft-ausbauziele-fuer-klimaschutz.html