This paper uses the LCA (Landscape Character Assessment) manuals produced by the Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage to develop a method for analysing the characteristics of the landscape and its ability to host photo voltaic parks. The method was tested on a site which is part of the Natura 2000 network in Sicily, where the different needs of high quality agricultural land, scenery of great natural value and human activities compete with one another. The evaluation of the landscape ’ s capacity to absorb the changes was effectuated by defining criteria which take into consideration the possible impact of photovoltaic sites on the landscape. These criteria were used to evaluate the sensi tivity of the characteristics of the landscape as well as its quality and value, and the visual impact of the proposed changes. Most of the Landscape Units were found to be not suitable for photovoltaic parks because of the high value of the land. However, protected agricultural land, mainly used for greenhouses, has a medium to high capacity to host pho tovoltaic plants, and if these are correctly planned, this could help to lower the sensitivity levels.
A. Evans, V. Strezov and T. J. Evans, “Assessment of Sustainability Indicators for Renewable Energy Technologies,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 13, 2009, pp. 1082-1088. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2008.03.008
T. L. Neff, “The Social Costs of Solar Energy: A Study of Photovoltaic Energy Systems (Pergamon Policy Studies on Science and Technology,” Pergamon Press, New York, 1981.
V. Vahro, “Environmental Impact of Photovoltaic Electrification in Rural Areas,” Energy and Environment, Vol. 13, 2002, pp. 81-104. http://dx.doi.org/10.1260/0958305021501092
J. Zoellner, P. Schweizer-Ries and C. Wemheuer, “Public Acceptance of Renewable Energies: Results from Case Studies in Germany,” Energy Policy, Vol. 36, No. 11, 2008, pp. 4136-4141.
P. Bonfanti, A. Fregonese and M. Sigura, “Landscape Analysis in Areas Affected by Land Consolidation,” Landscape Urban Planning, Vol. 37, 1997, pp. 91-98. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0169-2046(96)00373-8
R. Chiabrando, E. Fabrizio and G. Garnero, “The Territorial and Landscape Impacts of Photovoltaic Systems: Definition of Impacts and Assessment of the Glare Risk,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 13, No. 8, 2009, pp. 2441-2451. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2009.06.008
Meedaat, “Guide Sur la Prise en Compte de L’Environnement Dans les Installations Photovoltoiques au SolL’exemple Allemand,” Ministère de l’écologie, Parigi, 2009. http://www.photovoltaique.info/IMG/pdf/guide_du_MEDDAAT_aspect_environnementale.pdf
T. Tsoutsos, N. Frantzeskaki and V. Gekas, “Environmental Impacts from the Solar,” Energy Policy, Vol. 33, 2005, pp. 289-296. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0301-4215(03)00241-6
R. Chiabrando, E. Fabrizio and G. Garnero, “On the Applicability of the Visual Impact Assessment OAISPP Tool to Photovoltaic Plants,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 15, 2011, pp. 845-850. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2010.09.030
A. C. Torres-Sibille, V. A. Cloquell-Ballester, V. A. Cloquell-Ballester and M. A. Artacho Ramirez, “Aesthetic Impact Assessment of Solar Power Plants: An Objective and a Subjective Approach,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 13, No. 5, 2009, pp. 986-999. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2008.03.012
A. Di Bene and L. Scazzosi, “Gli Impianti Eolici: Suggerimenti per la Progettazione e la Valutazione Paesaggistica (Windfarms: Suggestions for Their Planning and the Value Given to the Landscape),” Gangemi Editore, Roma, 2006.
A. Torres Sibille, V. Cloquell-Ballester, V. Cloquell-Ballester and R. Darton, “Development of a Multicriteria Indicator for the Assessment of Objective Aesthetic Impact of Wind Farms,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 13, No. 1, 2009, pp. 44-55. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2007.05.002
G. Senes and A. Toccolini, “Tecniche per la Valutazione Della Qualità Visuale del Paesaggio Rurale (Techniques for Evaluating the Visual Quality of the Rural Landscape),” Rivista di Ingegneria Agraria, Vol. 4, 2006, pp. 7-14.
T. Tsoutsos, A. Tsouchlaraki, M. Tsiropoulos and M. Serpetsidakis, “Visual Impact Evaluation of a Wind Park in a Greek Island,” Applied Energy, Vol. 86, No. 5, 2009, pp. 1587-1600. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2008.08.013
J. Hurtado, J. Fernandez, J. Parrondo and E. Blanco, “Spanish Method of Visual Impact Evaluation in Wind Farms,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Vol. 8, No. 5, 2004, pp. 483-491. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2003.12.009
B. Moller, “Changing Wind-Power Landscapes: Regional Assessment of Visual Impact on Land Use and Population in Northern Jutland, Denmark,” Applied Energy, Vol. 83, No. 5, 2006, pp. 477-494. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2005.04.004
J. Hernandez, L. Garcia and F. Ayuga, “Assessment of the Visual Impact on the Landscape by New Buildings: A Methodology for Site Selection,” Landscape Urban Planning, Vol. 68, 2004, pp. 15-28. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0169-2046(03)00116-6
L. Garcia, J. Hernandez and F. Ayuga, “Analysis of the Materials and Exterior Texture of Agro-Industrial Buildings: A Photo-Analytical Approach to Landscape Integration,” Landscape Urban Planning, Vol. 74, 2006, pp. 110-124. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2004.10.007
R. Ryan, “Preserving Rural Character in New England: Local Residents’ Perception of Alternative Residential Development,” Landscape Urban Planning, Vol. 61, 2002, pp. 19-35. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0169-2046(02)00066-X
E. Rogge, F. Nevens and H. Gulinck, “Reducing the Visual Impact of ‘Greenhouse Parks’ in Rural Landscapes,” Landscape and Urban Planning, Vol. 87, 2008, pp. 76-83. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2008.04.008
M. Sevenant and M. Antrop, “Settlement Models, Land Use and Visibility in Rural Landscapes: Two Case Studies in Greece,” Landscape Urban Planning, Vol. 80, 2007, pp. 362-374. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2006.09.004
EU Council Directive, “2000 Network on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna,” Council Directive 92/43/EEC, Vol. 1, 1992. http://eurlex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:31992L0043:EN:NOT. Accessed 03.01.2012
Q. Wang, H. Tang, J. Li, H. Ma, T. Cheng and X. Wang, “Spatial and Dynamic Analysis of Regional Sustainable Development Using Geographic Information System and Relative Carrying Capacity of Resources,” Natural Resources, Vol. 2, 2011, pp. 28-34. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/nr.2011.21005
S. Fazal1, S. C. M. Geertman and F. J. Toppen, “Interpretation of Trends in Land Transformations—A Case of Green Heart Region (The Netherlands),” Natural Resources, Vol. 3, 2012, pp. 107-117. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/nr.2012.33015
Council of Europe, “European Landscape Convention,” 2000. http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/Commun/QueVoulezVous.asp?NT=176&CL=ENG
E. Salizzoni, “Paesaggi Protetti, Laboratori di Sperimentazione per il Paesaggio Costiero Mediterraneo (“Protected Landscapes” an Experimental Laboratory for the Mediterranean Coastal Landscape),” III Simposio, Il Monitoraggio Costiero Mediterraneo: Problematiche Tecniche di Misura (Third Symposium on Monitoring the Mediterranean Coast. Technical Measurement Problems), Livorno, 2010.
P. Minissale, S. Sciandrello, L. Scuderi and G. Spampinato, “Gli Ambienti Costieri Della Sicilia Meridionale (the Coastal Environment of Southern Sicily),” Bonanno Editore, Roma, 2010.
S. Brullo and S. Sciandrello, “La Vegetazione Lacustre del Biviere di Gela (Lake Vegetation of Biviere di Gela,” Fitosociologia, Vol. 43, No. 2, 2006, pp. 21-40.
R. Mascara and M. Sarà, “Censimento di Specie D’Uccelli Steppico-Cerealicole D’Interesse Comunitario Nella Piana di Gela (Cereal Crop Bird Census of Community Interest in the Gela Plain),” Naturalista Sicil, Vol. 1-2, 2007, pp. 27-39.
LIPU, “Site Management Plan of SCI-SPA Torre Manfria, Biviere di Gela, Plain of Gela and Seafront Area,” 2009. http://www.riservabiviere.it/progetti.asp?idn=195&titolo=Piano+Gestione+Biviere+Macconi+documenti
P. Russo, L. Carullo, L. Riguccio and G. Tomaselli, “Identification of Landscapes for Drafting Natura 2000 Network Management Plans: A Case Study in Sicily,” Landscape and Urban Planning, Vol. 101, 2011, pp. 228-243. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2011.02.028
L. Scazzosi, “Landscape and Cultural Landscape: European Landscape Convention and UNESCO Policy,” In: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Ed., Cultural Landscapes: The Challenges of Conservation, 2003, pp. 55-59. http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0013/001329/132988e.pdf
A. Ode, M. S. Tveit and G. Fry, “Capturing Landscape Visual Character Using Indicators: Touching Base with Landscape Aesthetic Theory,” Landscape Research, Vol. 33, No. 1, 2008, pp. 89-117. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01426390701773854
ECOVAST (European Council for the Village and Small Town), “Landscape Identification. A Guide to Good Practice,” 2006. http://www.ecovast.org/english/publications_e.htm
C. Swanwick, “Landscape Character Assessment, Guidance for England and Scotland,” The Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage, 2002. http://www.heritagecouncil.ie/fileadmin/user_upload/Planning/LCA_CPD/LC A_CPD_Sep_2011/Reports/LCA_Guidance_for_England_and_Scotland.pdf
C. Swanwick, “Topic Paper 6: Techniques and Criteria for Judging Capacity and Sensitivity,” The Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage, 2003. http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/Images/lcatopicpaper6_tcm6-8179.pdf
M. Jacobs, “Making Sense of Environmental Capacity,” Council for the Protection of Rural England, London, 1997.
H. S. D. George, “The Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) System for Wilderness Planning,” Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, 1985.
J. Benson, K. Scott, C. Anderson, R. Macfarlane, H. Dunsford and K. Turner, “Landscape Capacity Study for Onshore Wind Energy Development in the Western Isles,” Scottish Natural Heritage, Commissioned Report No. 042 -ROAME No. F02LC04, 2004. http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/commissioned_reports/ReportNo042A.pdf Accessed 01.08.2012.
A. Grant, P. Clarke and S. Lynch, “Landscape Capacity Studies in Scotland—A Review and Guide to Good Practice” Scottish Natural Heritage, Commissioned Report No. 385, 2010. http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/commissioned_reports/385.pdf
C. Bray, “Unpublished Paper on a County Wide Assessment of Landscape Sensitivity,” 2003. http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/Images/lcatopicpaper6_tcm6-8179.pdf
Regione Autonoma Della Sardegna, “Linee Guida per L’individuazione Degli Impatti Potenziali Degli Impianti Fotovoltaici e Loro Corretto Inserimento nel Territorio (Guidelines for Identifying the Potential Impact of Photovoltaic Parks and Their Insertion into the Landscape),” 2008. http://www.regione.sardegna.it/documenti/1_74_20080624174706.pdf
Regione Lombardia, “Linee Guida per L’Autorizzazione di Impianti per la Produzione di Energia da Fonti Energetiche Rinnovabili (Fer)—Impianti Fotovoltaici ed Eolici e per la Valutazione Ambientale Degli Stessi Impianti (Guidelines for Authorising Plants for the Production of Energy from Renewable Energy Sources (Fer)—Photovoltaic Parks and Wind Farms, and for Evaluating Their Environmental Impact),” 2009. http://www.territorioambiente.com/normativa/pdf/fontirinnovabili/2012%20Linee%20Guida%20FER.pdf