From Biodiversity Node, in collaboration with the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO), we have developed “Guide to Good Practices for Conducting Fauna Studies in Photovoltaic Solar Plant Installation Projects and Environmental Measures”
It has been carried out by Rodrigo Fernández-Mellado, Eladio L. García de la Morena, Elena Baonza Díaz, Jon Domínguez del Valle and Cristina Acosta Gallo , under the direction and coordination of Luis Benavente Fournier, from the Subdirectorate General of Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity of MITECO, and the participation of Ángel Luis Sánchez Fernández, Montse Reina Nieves, Miguel Ángel Blasco Rodríguez, Begoña Álvarez Cabello and Teresa Pereyra.
This white paper provides practical, evidence-based recommendations for assessing, preventing and mitigating the environmental impacts of these projects. Highlights include:
- Evaluation Methodologies: Detailed procedures for studying different faunal groups (birds, bats, terrestrial mammals, among others).
- Environmental Measures: Strategies to avoid, minimize, and compensate for impacts on biodiversity.
- Practical Cases: Examples of measures applied in real projects, along with analyses of their effectiveness.
- Monitoring Program: Guidelines to ensure the proper implementation and evaluation of the proposed measures.
We thank MITECO for the opportunity to prepare this document, which we hope will contribute to a sustainable energy transition that respects biodiversity.
In addition, this work is the result of an interdisciplinary collaboration that has benefited from the valuable contribution of the participants in round tables and technical consultations, whom we thank for their collaboration and contributions:
Alfonso Llamas, Environmental Impact Section, Biodiversity Service, Government of Navarra; José Manuel López, Department of Sustainable Development, Regional Government of Andalusia; Amparo Olivares Tormo, Natura 2000 Network Technician; Juan Tomás Alcalde, SECEMU; Ángel Sánchez García, Renewable Energy Environmental Evaluation Unit, Regional Government of Extremadura; Juan Traba, Professor, Department of Ecology, Autonomous University of Madrid; Antoni Margalida, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM); Luis Linares (Linaria Consultores), Environmental Consultancy; Carles Quer Feo, Department of Climate Action, Food, and Rural Agenda, Generalitat of Catalonia; Manel Pomarol, Head of Fauna Conservation Section, Generalitat of Catalonia; Carlos Ibáñez (EBD, CSIC), SECEMU; Manuel B. Morales, Professor, Department of Ecology, Autonomous University of Madrid; Daniel Villero, Researcher at the Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC); María Jesus Martos Salinero, Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Sustainable Development, Regional Government of Andalusia; David Mingot, Protected Species Service, Community of Madrid; Miguel Ángel Cabrera Pérez, Biodiversity Service, Government of the Canary Islands; David Serrano (EBD-CSIC); Miguel Ángel Monsalve, Technical Assistance for Wildlife and Natura 2000 Network Service, Department of Agriculture, Valencia; Francisco Javier Sampietro Latorre, SARGA, Government of Aragón; Pedro García-Rovés González, Biologist at the Wildlife Service, Principality of Asturias; Gerard Bota, Researcher at the Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC); Rafael Barrientos, Complutense University of Madrid; Jordi Salip, Regional Office of Environmental Action and Evaluation, Generalitat of Catalonia; Santiago Rodríguez Pizarro, Geobio DT Sustainable Development Málaga; José Luis Viejo, Professor, Department of Biology, Autonomous University of Madrid; Verónica Glez, Environmental Commission of the Balearic Islands (CMAIB).
Special thanks to Ángel Sánchez, for facilitating the visit to the Talayuela Solar and Núñez de Balboa facilities, to Antonio Hernández, from Ecoenergías del Guadiana, for accompanying us on the visit, and to Gerard Bota for his contribution to the Segarra Garrigues case of interest. Thanks also to Ángel Collado, from OPDE, for facilitating access to take images of the Zafra photovoltaic plant.