At the interface between energy, ecology and agriculture, agrivoltaics (APV) combines energy production with agricultural production while potentially offering opportunities to promote biodiversity.
On an arable area equipped with an APV system, the project investigates the effects of combining APV with ecological enhancement measures, consisting of field margins and extensive species-rich hay meadows, on biodiversity. The ecologically enhanced APV area is compared with an arable area without APV. Biodiversity is monitored over an extended period using plants, ground beetles and spiders as bioindicators. The study examines changes in abundance and community composition and aims to determine to what extent ecological enhancement of areas under APV can contribute to promoting biodiversity.
Based on the findings, scientifically sound recommendations for nature friendly energy and food production will be developed and communicated to practitioners and the wider public.
Project manager
