SolServices has reported notable biodiversity enhancements at the Lumen Park Szolnok, a 138MW solar farm in Hungary hailed as the first of its kind globally for its nature-friendly design. Utilizing sustainable methods and plant and animal-friendly approaches, the solar park has revitalized soil depleted by decades of agricultural use, fostering a near-natural habitat.
The company has made its professional database available for academic research, resulting in the publication of the first scientific paper based on ecological data collected at the park. Findings from 2023 show a significant increase in plant species diversity and total vegetation coverage compared to the initial state, with notable improvements in the coverage of valuable species and the Shannon diversity index.
Post-construction surveys also revealed an increase in bird diversity, attributed to the solar park serving as a feeding ground compared to previous large-scale agricultural habitats. While some species like the Eurasian skylark and corn bunting showed reduced nesting numbers, new species such as the common pheasant and crested lark have established nesting grounds within the park.
SolServices emphasized the solar park's positive impact on rare plant species like the sea arrowgrass and protected saltmarsh buttercup, which have flourished in the new habitat. To further enhance habitat quality, a special seed mix was introduced in 2023, promoting natural vegetation growth and suppressing invasive species.
Gabor Farkas, CEO of SolServices, highlighted the collaborative effort and innovative practices that led to the park's ecological success, stating, “It's important to emphasize that we've achieved all this with a highly diverse team of different professional backgrounds and nationalities, always aiming for concrete solutions and actual implementation, staying a step ahead of the market.”
