The land-use of sites used for utility-scale solar parks

Ideally utility-scale solar projects should be sited on land that is not required for agricultural production, and does not affect sites of scientific, ecological or recreational value.

A wide variety of different approaches have been used:

Brown-field sites

A good approach is often to re-purpose sites whose previous use is now redundant. Examples include former:

• Mines and quarries
• Landfills
• Airfields
• Power stations
• Cleared industrial or residential areas
• Golf courses
• Disused port facilities

Existing developments

Solar projects can often co-exist with other developed land-use, for example:

• Car parks and car-ports
• Rooftops of factory and warehouse buildings
• Unused parts of airfields and military bases

Unproductive land

Land that has low agricultural value is often suitable. Some countries also designate certain types of land as being more suitable for solar installations:

• Desert and scrubland
• Uncultivated hillsides
• Strips alongside roads and railways

Agricultural land

Agricultural land is often used, especially when it is not very productive, or is not required for crop production.

Non-land uses

Increasingly solar projects are also being deployed on water, such as:

• Lakes and reservoirs
• Water meadows
• Canals and rivers

Mapping by land-use

Where we have specific information about the existing or former land-use of sites used for specific projects, this is held in the Wiki-Solar Database.

Separate maps for projects using some of the most common options are available - use the pull-down menu under 'Land-Use' above.