Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISEThe drainage of organic soils such as peatlands for agricultural use causes over 40% of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture each year. The MoorPower project is investigating the extent to which the combination of peatland rewetting and photovoltaics, including when used in conjunction with paludiculture, can reduce emissions. “MoorPower” represents a real gain for natural climate protection, as peatland and paludiculture PV can simultaneously promote certain ecosystem functions and provide renewable resources.
Sustainable and Innovative Photovoltaic Solutions for Rewetted Peatlands
MoorPower
Peatland PV could offer an alternative to drained agricultural use of organic soils..
Initial Situation
Peatland and other organic soils cover just under 7% of agricultural land in Germany, and their drainage-based use causes around 44% of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture and agricultural land use, approximately 43 million tons of CO2 equivalent in 2021, due to the mineralization of peat soils. Rewetting is the most effective measure for reducing emissions. In order to achieve its self-imposed climate targets, Germany must rewet at least 50,000 ha of currently drained peatland per year. The combination of PV systems and rewetting could be a significant lever for achieving this goal.
Agriculturally drained organic soils are mainly found in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, Brandenburg, Bavaria, and Baden-Württemberg.
Objective
The aim of the MoorPower research project is to comprehensively investigate, for the first time, the technical, ecological, and socio-economic effects and legal issues of combining peatland rewetting and photovoltaics (peatland PV), including in combination with paludiculture (paludiculture PV), and to derive recommendations for action for the concrete implementation of peatland / paludiculture PV in Germany. The implementation of photovoltaic systems on rewetted peatlands with simultaneous use of biomass in paludiculture could contribute to climate protection in three ways: through direct energy generation from PV, through the avoidance of greenhouse gas emissions in the course of peatland rewetting, and through the provision of renewable resources in paludiculture, while at the same time promoting biodiversity.
One of the first ground-mounted PV systems on rewetted peatland is located in Lottorf, Schleswig-Holstein.
Approach
In order to achieve comprehensive and cross-scale processing of the objectives outlined above, MoorPower will work on at least three test sites (material test site, implementation site, experimental site). Investigations at the material test site include, for example, the effects of the peatland on the materials and installations used, but also the influence of the materials used on water quality, soil physics, and the microbiome. However, large-scale implementation areas are required in order to answer some ecological and economic questions. For example, variables such as the total greenhouse gas balance or economic aspects can only be determined on such a large scale. The experimental facility set up as part of this project is planned as an open research platform on which any further research on the topic can build.
The map shows the research partners and trial areas with the backdrop of organic soils in Germany (Wittnebel et al. 2023).
Funding
The “MoorPower” project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR).
