This is how much space the sun needs: How much space does a solar park need at least to be able to be operated economically? – Creative image: Xpert.Digital
How big does a solar park have to be? Minimum area and important factors at a glance
From space to efficiency: How to plan the perfect solar park
A solar park is a large-scale photovoltaic system designed to generate electricity from solar energy and feed it into the public power grid. The question of the minimum area for the economic operation of a solar park depends on a variety of factors, including technical, economic and geographical aspects. In the following, not only the minimum area is examined, but also other important framework conditions that are crucial for the planning and operation of such systems are discussed.
Minimum area for solar parks
The minimum area of a solar park is primarily determined by the installed power (measured in kilowatt peak, kWp or megawatt peak, MWp) and the efficiency of the solar modules. Modern photovoltaic systems require on average around 1.5 hectares per megawatt of installed capacity. This means that an area of at least 1 hectare (10,000 m²) is required to economically operate a system with an output of around 750 kWp. Systems smaller than this size are often not profitable because fixed costs such as grid connection and maintenance are incurred regardless of size.
For larger projects, an area of at least 2 hectares (20,000 m²) is often considered economically viable. This size makes it possible to better distribute the costs of connecting to the grid and achieve higher returns. From an area of 5 hectares (50,000 m²), operators also benefit from economies of scale, which can further increase profitability.
Space required per unit of performance
The space required for a solar park depends heavily on the module efficiency and the arrangement of the modules. Thanks to technological advances, the efficiency of modern solar modules has improved significantly in recent years. While older systems required up to 3.5 hectares per megawatt, today the requirement is around 1.5 hectares per megawatt. This means that an area of 10 hectares can support an installed capacity of around 6 to 7 MW.
However, the specific space required varies depending on site conditions and system type:
- Ground-mounted systems: These systems make efficient use of large areas and often achieve a lower space requirement per megawatt.
- Agri-photovoltaics: Here the area is used for both electricity generation and agricultural purposes. The space required per megawatt can be higher because the modules are often placed at a greater distance from each other.
- Roof or facade systems: These do not require any additional floor space and are therefore particularly space-saving.
Yield and profitability
The economic viability of a solar park depends largely on the electricity yield. Depending on solar radiation, one hectare of solar park can generate around 1,000,000 kWh of electricity annually. With a feed-in tariff of, for example, 6 cents per kWh, this corresponds to an annual turnover of around 60,000 euros per hectare.
However, profitability is determined not only by yield, but also by investment and operating costs:
- Investment costs: These include the costs for solar modules, inverters, mounting systems and the grid connection. The costs per unit decrease as the system size increases.
- Operating costs: These include maintenance, cleaning and insurance of the system as well as lease costs for the space.
Larger systems are often more economical than smaller projects because they can spread fixed costs such as grid connection fees over larger electricity production. In addition, larger projects often benefit from cheaper purchase prices for components.
Site conditions
The choice of location plays a crucial role in the success of a solar park. Important factors are:
- Solar radiation: Regions with high solar radiation enable higher electricity yields and thus improve economic efficiency.
- Soil quality: Areas with low agricultural productivity or fallow land are particularly suitable for solar parks.
- Grid connection: Proximity to a substation or a suitable grid connection point significantly reduces connection costs.
- Topography: Flat or slightly inclined surfaces are ideal as they allow the modules to be optimally aligned.
In addition, regional funding programs or legal framework conditions can influence the choice of location.
Funding and legal framework
In many countries there are funding programs for renewable energies that support the construction of solar parks. In Germany, for example, operators benefit from feed-in tariffs or tendering procedures as part of the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG). Systems on conversion areas (e.g. former industrial or military areas) as well as on disadvantaged agricultural areas are particularly supported.
These grants can help make smaller projects economically viable. At the same time, they promote the use of areas that would otherwise remain unused.
Conflicts of use and environmental aspects
An important aspect when planning a solar park is avoiding conflicts of use with other land uses such as agriculture or nature conservation. The following are therefore often preferred:
- Brownfields
- Conversion areas
- Areas with low agricultural productivity
Another advantage of modern solar parks is their ecological compatibility. For example, extensive grassland can be created under the modules, providing a habitat for insects and small animals. In addition, agri-photovoltaic systems can help produce both energy and food on the same area.
Further reduce space requirements and create new uses
With the continued expansion of renewable energy, solar parks are expected to play an even more important role in the future. Technological innovations could further reduce the space requirement and open up new uses:
- Bifacial modules: These modules use both direct sunlight and reflected light from the ground, which can increase yield.
- Floating PV: Floating solar systems on bodies of water completely avoid land use conflicts.
- Storage technologies: The integration of battery storage makes it possible to temporarily store excess electricity and feed it into the grid as needed.
Overall, it is clear that solar parks can not only make an important contribution to the energy transition, but are also economically attractive - provided they are carefully planned and built in suitable locations.
Economies of scale and better ways to distribute costs
A solar park requires at least 1 to 2 hectares of space to be operated economically. However, larger systems of around 5 hectares are significantly more profitable due to economies of scale and better options for cost distribution. In addition to the sheer size of the area, site conditions such as solar radiation, soil quality and proximity to the grid connection play a crucial role in the economic viability of a project.
Modern technologies have significantly reduced the area required per megawatt in recent years and offer new opportunities for efficient land use - be it through agricultural photovoltaics or floating solar systems. With the right concept, solar parks can not only make an important contribution to the energy transition, but can also be designed to be ecologically compatible.
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