Groningen, 4 February 2026 – Solar parks appear to be a fertile breeding ground for biodiversity. This is the conclusion of researchers from the University of Groningen (RUG), led by Dr ir Raymond Klaassen, who coordinates long-term research into the ecological effects of solar parks within the Faculty of Science & Engineering. Their latest findings show that solar parks not only attract different species than agricultural land, but also develop into an entirely new type of ecosystem.
Ground beetles as indicators
In the most recent interim report, the research team focuses on the presence of ground beetles. These insects are regarded as key indicators of ecosystem quality. Because they are sensitive to changes in soil structure, moisture, shade and vegetation, they provide rapid insight into the ecological conditions of an area. Changes in ground beetle communities reveal a great deal about how a landscape functions ecologically.
A new type of habitat
Monitoring of solar parks in the Dutch provinces of Groningen and Drenthe shows that ground beetles occur in significantly higher numbers than in surrounding arable fields. In particular, zones with rougher vegetation—created as ecological compensation areas—play an important role. These areas not only host more insects, but also species that differ from the typical “arable field species” associated with agricultural land.
According to Klaassen, this is due to the unique conditions created by solar parks: increased shade and moisture beneath the panels, less disturbance from agricultural activities, and greater variation in vegetation structure. This results in species assemblages that are rare in the Dutch landscape. The researchers therefore describe solar parks as a new type of ecosystem, distinct from arable land, nature reserves or forests.
Part of a broader research programme
The ground beetle study forms part of a five-year research programme in which the University of Groningen investigates the development of biodiversity in solar parks, from construction through to subsequent years. In addition to insects, the programme monitors birds, vegetation, small mammals and soil quality. Earlier reports showed that some bird species benefit from solar parks, while others are less frequently observed. By studying multiple species groups, the researchers aim to build a nuanced understanding of how solar parks function as habitats.
Cautious optimism
The researchers stress that solar parks are not a replacement for open agricultural landscapes: species that depend on large, open fields largely remain absent. Nevertheless, overall species richness in the area appears to increase, as solar parks provide space for species that have become scarce in intensively farmed landscapes. In this way, solar parks contribute to greater ecological diversity at the landscape level.
Dr ir Raymond Klaassen describes the results as “promising, but still developing.” According to him, the research primarily shows that solar parks can become ecologically meaningful when they are carefully designed and managed. “We see that design and management have a major influence on which species benefit. Biodiversity gains are not automatic; they require deliberate choices to make solar parks nature-inclusive.”
