Polymor-FENCE: polymorphism of solarpower plant fences, natural habitat fragmentation, and ecological continuity

The Polymor-FENCE project (2024-2026) focuses on studying the direct (animal mortality) and indirect (habitat fragmentation) effects of fences on wildlife. It specifically examines the fences around photovoltaic plants, in the context of the massive expansion of these installations, to ensure that decarbonization and biodiversity preservation can be pursued in tandem.

In light of the latest IPCC report, the development of renewable energy (RE) appears to be a concrete and promising solution for achieving global climate objectives. However, this surge raises concerns within the scientific community, as recent prospective studies indicate a lack of consideration for the impacts of RE development on biodiversity, especially during the ongoing sixth wave of mass species extinction.

In particular, the expected massive development of closed photovoltaic power plants (PVPP) is likely to significantly exacerbate the fragmentation of natural habitats, which is identified as one of the primary causes of biodiversity loss according to IPBES. Therefore, the impact of PVPP, from their design to their dismantling, must be evaluated to better reconcile climate and ecological challenges.

The hypothesis tested within this project is that the presence of PVPP within functional ecological networks leads to two types of impacts: direct (animal mortality) and indirect (disruption of ecological continuity). The work conducted under the Polymor-Fence project aims to develop tools and methods to analyze these impacts, ensuring they are considered at all stages of PVPP development:

• from the territorial planning phase (SRADDET, SCoT, PLUi)
• during project design (impact studies)
• throughout the lifecycle of the plants, particularly through monitoring the effectiveness of environmental measures decided under the ARC (avoid, reduce, compensate) sequence.

The tools and methods developed in this project are based on two main technological components:

• automated analysis, particularly through artificial intelligence, of satellite and aerial data as well as ground photos, to locate the fences and determine their typology. One of the project’s challenges is to evaluate the impacts of fences based on their various forms and installation methods.
• the use of numerical simulation tools for ecological network functioning to understand if and how the fences of PVPP interact with species at different scales.

By utilizing open-source technological components that are interoperable with national tools and accessible to all stakeholders in the PVPP sector, Polymor-Fence also initiates a collaborative and participatory national dynamic that is structuring for the entire sector. The work will help not only to prevent the impacts of PVPP on biodiversity but also to provide results that are generalizable and quickly transferable to most activities that involve the use of fences (transport, security, etc.).