Solar systems on open spaces are often found on conversion or industrial areas, polluted areas or former military premises.
(Photo: imago images/Arnulf Hettrich)
Berlin The Greens-led Federal Ministries for Climate, Environment and Agriculture want to significantly expand the use of agricultural land for solar systems. To this end, photovoltaic systems on agricultural land are to be promoted on a larger scale by the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), according to a key issues paper published by the three ministries on Thursday.
Climate Minister Robert Habeck, Environment Minister Steffi Lemke and Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir agreed on this. Additional systems for solar power with an output of up to 200 gigawatts are possible on agricultural land. It is currently almost 60 gigawatts.
The use of agricultural land for solar modules is not without controversy because fertile farmland can be lost. So far, solar power from systems on agricultural land has generally been excluded from EEG funding. There are exceptions for so-called disadvantaged agricultural areas, such as mountain regions.
Solar systems on open spaces are often found on conversion or industrial areas, polluted areas or former military premises. In the meantime, such systems have also become interesting for investors on arable land.
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According to the agreed key points, so-called agri-photovoltaic systems should be funded on all arable land. These are special solar systems that allow agricultural and energetic use of one and the same area.
Further measures planned
Funding from EU agricultural policy funds is still possible if agricultural use is only affected by electricity generation by up to 15 percent. The cornerstones envisage further measures, such as the expansion of “disadvantaged areas” and the promotion of solar systems on agriculturally used moorland, if these are rewetted at the same time for climate protection.
The expansion of the solar systems should make a contribution to achieving the climate goals. The traffic light coalition of SPD, Greens and FDP has set itself the goal that Germany will get 80 percent of its electricity from renewable energies by 2030. Currently, the proportion is only about half as high at around 40 percent.
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