Participatory Gis Tool to Develop Land-based Solar Energy Scenarios: the Example of a Black Forest District in Germany
Abstract
The successful development of renewable energy requires the selection of suitable sites while respecting the objectives of nature conservation, agriculture and other stakeholders. To meet Germanys climate and energy y targets, the municipalities needs to balance renewable energy development with land use changes. The Public Participation Geographical Information System (PPGIS) scenario methodology helps to examine how land use decisions at local scale affect renewable energy potential, thereby assisting in this balance. This article uses a case study from the district of Emmendingen in the Black Forest (Germany) to show how the PPGIS scenario method can help rural communities and energy cooperatives integrate renewable energy transparently. The method takes into account land use restrictions and identifies areas that meet environmental, economic and social criteria. Different conflict-free land use scenarios are calculated for ground mounted and agricultural photovoltaics, estimating potential land demand and electricity generation.
Keywords
Public Participation Geo Information System: PPGIS, Ground mounted photovoltaic (GM-PV), Agri-Photovoltaics (Agri-PV), Land demand, Energy yield, Energy Communities.