Klein Rheide Biodiverse Solar Park
The Klein Rheide solar park is located in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Developed by Wattmanufactur GmbH, this open-field photovoltaic plant is a flagship project for "Biodiv-PV," showcasing how renewable energy can transform industrial sites into hubs for biodiversity and organic agriculture.
The facility was commissioned in three phases between 2015 and 2019 on a 27-hectare site. Originally considered the village's "granary," the land's soil had been depleted by gravel extraction starting in 2012 and was subsequently used for intensive maize cultivation. The project originated from the landowner’s search for a constructive way to reuse the land after the gravel pits were exhausted. This vision was realized through a close agreement with the municipality of Klein Rheide, which enabled the construction of the park. Today, the facility has an installed capacity of 23 MWp from 81,484 modules, generating 22.4 million kWh annually—enough to power 7,200 households and save 8,960 tons of CO2 per year.
The project’s technical architecture is specifically designed to foster a thriving ecosystem over a 30-year lifespan. To protect the soil, sealing is kept below 1% by avoiding concrete foundations for module racks, fences, and transformer stations; instead, structures are driven directly into the ground, allowing the area to be fully restored to its original condition in the future. A wide row spacing of four meters ensures that ample sunlight and heat reach the ground, while a 2 cm gap between modules allows rainwater to drain evenly, ensuring complete vegetation growth even beneath the panels.
This technical sensitivity supports a management model that has turned the site into one of Germany’s most species-rich solar parks. The area is certified organic according to EC regulations and managed by the specialized firm Osterhof Ökologisches Flächenmanagement. By implementing flowering strips, hedges, and insect hotels, the park has become a refuge for strictly protected species. Permanent shallow water bodies host the natterjack toad, a strictly protected amphibian, while the seasonally wet banks support the critically endangered bog bulrush. Additionally, the site provides a protected breeding ground for field birds such as skylarks and tree pipits, which are declining elsewhere due to agricultural intensification. Through this integrated approach, the project ensures that long-term energy production serves as a vital catalyst for ecological restoration.
Ultimately, the Klein Rheide project demonstrates that by combining technical innovation with organic management, photovoltaic installations can serve as long-term refuges for biodiversity, proving that clean energy production and nature conservation are not only compatible but mutually reinforcing goals.
Sources:
European Environmental Bureau (2023, May). RENEWABLES BEST PRACTICES Solutions for nature-positive, community-led renewable energy in Europe. https://eeb.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/RES-Best-Practices-factsheet-5.0.pdf
Sonne Sammeln. Klein Rheide solar park. https://sonne-sammeln.de/en/solarparks/solarpark-klein-rheide/
Wattmanufactur. A solar park with added value. BIODIV-PV - Klein Rheide. https://wattmanufactur.de/bio-div-pv.html
