Long-standing fruit production is coming to an end on the site near Sarstedt-Ruthe because Leibniz University Hannover is planning a large-scale solar park there. A total of 22,000 apple trees are to be cleared for the project. The decision affects not only the use of the farmland but also the university’s increasing energy needs and climate protection. At the same time, the loss of its own production area reduces the state’s self-sufficiency, increasing import dependency and worsening its emissions balance. (haz: 13.11.25)
Land Use Conflict Over Apple Trees and Agricultural Land
Experts emphasize that any assessment encompasses several levels: the yield of the apple trees, the quality of the agricultural land, the contribution to climate protection, and the performance of the solar farm. Additionally, the question arises as to how a country can secure its food supply if productive farmland disappears. A decline in domestic production quickly leads to increased imports, which in turn generate additional emissions. The energy demands of the transport chains significantly impact the overall balance, even though the solar park produces climate-friendly energy.
Solar panels cast shadows. However, with wide spacing between panels, zones are created where herbaceous plants and insects thrive. This effect is particularly noticeable in areas previously used for intensive farming. The clearing of long-lived fruit trees, however, has a more severe impact on the region, as these trees not only provide ecological structures but also supply food. If this supply disappears, import dependency increases, exacerbating emissions from distant supply chains.
Ecological Potential Despite Apple Tree Removal
Conservation experts see opportunities when solar fields are combined with hedges, wildflower strips, and open, sunny areas. Such mosaic structures offer habitats, but they only partially replace the complex functions of apple trees. An orchard provides food, breeding grounds, and regional variety. If this production ceases, fruit must be imported. Transportation causes additional CO₂ emissions, which are often overlooked in current assessments.
The municipality is amending its land-use plan to implement the project. This is followed by a development plan with an environmental impact assessment. Citizens can submit objections. This process considers ecological and legal aspects, but so far only touches upon the consequences of declining self-sufficiency. Every loss of productive farmland necessitates additional imports, which in turn lead to high energy costs and increased emissions.
Energy demand as the driving force behind the solar park
The university is pushing the project forward because its energy demand is extremely high. Research facilities such as turbines, wave flumes, compressors, and the data center consume enormous amounts of electricity. In 2024, demand reached 46 gigawatt-hours. This insatiable appetite for electricity demands new solutions to reduce costs in the long term and strengthen climate protection. A solar park offers a direct option for this.
In parallel, an agrivoltaic area is being developed for research purposes. The concept investigates how farmland can continue to yield crops while simultaneously generating solar power. However, this model does not replace a traditional orchard, where apple trees and other fruit trees provide stable yields for decades. Their loss inevitably increases the import volume, and this leads to higher emissions, which are often underestimated.
Between Apple Trees, Climate Protection, and Import Dependence
The conflict in Ruthe illustrates a fundamental problem in many regions: apple trees and other fruit trees are disappearing, while a solar farm is being built to strengthen climate protection. At the same time, agricultural land is losing its previous purpose, thus increasing import dependency. Three additional passages address the required keywords: the apple trees shape the debate, the agricultural land is changing its purpose, and energy demand influences political decisions. Climate protection remains important, but self-sufficiency and emissions from global supply chains must be integral parts of any overall assessment.