Ground-mounted solar technology

Environmental impact assessment

An environmental impact assessment, encompassing an ecological study and a landscape appraisal, is required for the development of a solar project with a capacity exceeding 300 kWp. It is launched on the potential site for a solar project and includes an initial assessment that reports, before the project’s implementation, on the:

• Physical environment (economic context, demographics, tourism, networks and easements, etc.)

• Natural environment, fauna, and flora

• Landscape and heritage

• Human environment

To carry out the initial assessment, environmental inventories are conducted over the course of a full year at the site, covering habitats, fauna, flora, and wetlands. Following the initial assessment of the site, the potential impacts of the proposed project are examined. BayWa r.e. then seeks solutions to avoid, reduce, and offset (ARO) the impacts of installing the solar farm, aiming to ensure that the project's effects are minimal, neutral, or even beneficial. These solutions are customised according to the specific challenges of the land.

The other specific assessments

In addition to the environmental impact assessment, solar projects may require archaeological surveys and other assessments depending on the characteristics of the installation site:

• Pre-feasibility survey for an agricultural activity zone

• Hydrogeological survey

• A water law dossier may be required

• A deforestation authorisation request may be submitted

Review of a solar project

During the review phase, the project is submitted for consultation with a team of stakeholders, including state departments, SDIS (departmental fire and rescue service), RTE (operator of the French electricity transmission network), ABF (French Monuments and Historic Buildings Architects Corps), the Agricultural Chamber, and others. Citizens may also submit their opinion via a public survey.

The public survey, overseen by a public inquiry commissioner appointed by the administrative court, aims to ensure that the population has been adequately informed about the project and to gather their opinions through various means. Consequently, several office hours are organised at the town hall to meet with residents of the municipalities where the project is proposed, and a feedback form is made available both at the town halls and online.

Once the public survey phase is complete, the public inquiry commissioner prepares a summary of the opinions and feedback, which is then submitted to the prefect for a decision on whether to authorise or reject the project.

Construction of a solar farm

Once the building permit and connection request have been secured, construction of the solar farm can proceed. The selection and quality of equipment for a solar farm significantly impact its performance. We rely on reputable manufacturers for key components, such as photovoltaic modules and inverters.

The construction of a solar farm can take between 3 and 9 months and involves site preparation as well as the development of access routes. The steps are the following:

• Structure installation

• Pile driving

• Installation of the solar panels

• Burial of cables

• Connection to the electrical grid

The dismantling of a solar farm

At the end of a solar farm's operational life, it is completely decommissioned, which includes the removal of modules, electrical cables, and supporting structures. The site is restored to its original condition and returned to its owner.

The various components of the solar panels are recycled and repurposed by an approved organisation. All costs are borne by the solar farm operator. Today, the photovoltaic sector is capable of recycling 95% of the total mass of end-of-life panels.