Ecovoltaics - A Truly Ecological and Green Source of Renewable Goods

The intensive exploitation of natural resources, expansion of human population and degradation of natural and semi-natural habitats, caused among others by agriculture, forestry and urbanisation, enforce special care for the natural resources, especially the disappearing types of vegetation that are refugees of biodiversity. One of the most threatened plant communities are grasslands (pastures and meadows), which has suffered the most in recent decades due to the intensification of agriculture and the transformation of land use. The purpose of this paper is to propose a hybrid approach to clean energy production on photovoltaic (PV) farms, taking into account the needs of grassland conservation and restoration. Nine sets of sciophilous species are proposed, including grasslands rich of pollinator benefits, grasslands with low pollen production to maintain high electrical efficiency of panels, and rich, standard meadows in wet (Molinion, Calthion, Alopecurion, Cnidion), fresh (Arrhenatherion) and dry (Cirsio-Brachypodion) types. The combination of clean energy and grassland conservation has been called ecovoltaics (EV) because it combines the production of renewable electricity with care for the diversity of valuable grassland ecosystems. The research will continue on an experimental ecovoltaic farm with innovative technical solutions to effectively maintain the desired meadow species composition. The purpose of this study was to analyse and select plant species that could be introduced into areas where PV cells are installed under climatic conditions in southern Poland. Using databases, environmental and ecological factors were taken into account. As a result of the study, a list of 206 species was selected that could be introduced to areas where they will coexist with PV panels, taking into account the effect of shading. The developed selection of these plant species provides a starting point for future work by botanists and engineers seeking to increase the biodiversity of sites where PV panels will be placed.