ECOPAYV : ECOlogie du PaYsage et photoVoltaïque

In the context of the accelerating energy transition, the development of photovoltaic power plants (PV plants) raises new challenges for ecosystem conservation. Beyond their direct impacts on natural environments, these installations can alter habitats, fragment landscapes, and disrupt the ecological connectivity essential for species movement. However, the cumulative effects of multiple power plants at the landscape scale remain poorly understood, as do the solutions needed to sustainably restore the ecological functions of these areas.

The ECOPAYV project aims to address these challenges by combining landscape ecology, field observations, remote sensing, and ecological modeling. By studying photovoltaic power plants located in different landscape contexts across France, the project will seek to better understand how their size, surrounding environment, and location influence biodiversity. It will also develop operational tools to assess the cumulative impacts of these installations and test various strategies for restoring habitats and ecological connectivity, particularly for invertebrates and pollinators.

By combining scientific research with field experiments, ECOPAYV aims to deliver practical solutions to improve the ecological integration of photovoltaic power plants. The knowledge and tools developed will help industry stakeholders design and manage more sustainable projects.

Overall Methodology

The ECOPAYV project is structured around two complementary areas of research:

• Assessing the impacts of photovoltaic power plants on biodiversity and ecological connectivity, by studying how their size and landscape context influence habitats, invertebrate populations, and pollinators.

• Restoring ecological connectivity within photovoltaic power plants, by developing and testing various habitat restoration strategies, particularly through differentiated seed mixes that promote species movement and maintain ecological functions.

Funding

Partners