Land Use and Ecosystem Impacts of Solar Power Plants: A Case-Based Assessment from Türkiye

Document Type : Review Article

Author
Emine Su Turan
Çukurova University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, Adana, Türkiye
10.22059/jser.2025.401354.1627
Abstract
This study provides a multidimensional assessment of the land use and ecosystem impacts of Solar Power Plants (SPPs) in Türkiye, where solar investments have rapidly expanded due to high irradiation potential. While solar energy is a key pillar of the low-carbon transition, large-scale ground-mounted installations increasingly intersect with agricultural lands, rural livelihoods, and biodiversity hotspots. Drawing on regional case studies and national-scale trends, the research identifies spatial patterns of SPP development and highlights the socio-ecological risks associated with poor site selection. Key findings emphasize the need to balance energy generation with land conservation, ecosystem services, and social acceptance. The paper advances an integrative planning framework based on agrovoltaic systems, nature-based solutions, and GIS-supported decision-making. Rather than proposing a singular model, the study synthesizes best practices to guide strategic land use that minimizes conflict and enhances resilience. This work contributes to energy policy by reframing SPP investments as not only technological projects but also socio-environmental interventions, underlining the urgency of participatory, spatially just, and ecologically compatible energy transitions in Türkiye and beyond.
Keywords
Solar energy
Land use dynamics
Biodiversity conservation Sustainable energy policies
Solar photovoltaic development
Sustainable energy transition
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Journal of Solar Energy Research
Volume 10, Issue 2
Spring 2025
Pages 2349-2366