Commitment A - local communities, administration, and local people
Although local municipalities in Germany are elected every 4 to 6 years and are not experts in planning, they are responsible for deciding on large projects in rural areas, says Strohmayer. During the decision-making process regarding new solar power plants or wind farms, the bne will support everyone involved in the planning stages. In line with obligations to local communities, administrations, and residents, the first step is comprehensive and early participation, along with the sharing of information with municipalities, local councils, and the public about various aspects of the solar park project. These aspects include planning steps, the techno-commercial principles of the solar park (such as PPA-based or subsidized models), and project-specific participation opportunities – whether direct or indirect. The second step involves companies committing to provide financial benefits to the municipality within the legal framework. Under current energy policies in Germany, it is possible to offer benefits of 0.2 euro cents/kWh to the municipality in a legally secure manner. This ensures that local municipalities and residents can benefit from a well-managed planning process, explained Strohmayer.
Commitment D – increase biodiversity
Getting experiences from previous instances of conflicts of interest between environmental organizations and solar park developers, the voluntary framework proposes an enhanced biodiversity approach for solar parks. Measures like using non-toxic fertilizers, planting native seeds, and fostering natural greening within the solar park area, through a combination of communication and commitment, actively promote biodiversity. Additionally, improving insect habitats within the solar park – by creating suitable environments for these insects, which serve as food for birds, bats, and mammals – will further enhance the park’s biodiversity. According to Strohmayer, all of these measures can only be achieved through a project-specific approach and proper planning, which includes maintaining optimal spacing between module rows to improve sunlight exposure. These biodiversity-enhancing steps are key to ensuring acceptance for the expansion of ground-mounted solar projects in Germany. The bne is currently working on policy initiatives for the comprehensive management of solar park areas, including specifications for area maintenance, project-specific mowing schedules, and site-specific concepts for agriculture and nature compatibility, added Strohmayer.
Working principle
The working principle of voluntary commitment is straightforward and transparent for all involved. It focuses on implementation, self-certification, and testing mechanisms, added Strohmayer. The process begins with the preparation of a commitment and well-documented planning materials, which are then licensed to individual companies through a license agreement, accompanied by terms and conditions for the use of the 'GUTE PLANUNG' logo. These terms stipulate that a self-certification mechanism must be implemented by the individual companies, explained Strohmayer. After the self-certification process, the licensed company is designated as a 'good planning company,' and the bne lists these companies on their open portal. Everything, including the terms and conditions and the commitment itself, is publicly accessible, and the bne continuously updates the list of 'good planning' companies. Additionally, the bne is creating a database of well-planned solar parks in Germany, allowing users to check if the planning has been adjusted according to the commitment. It also aims to establish a database of monitoring results.
