German study: rewetting drained peatland and adding solar panels cuts emissions and generates power

A German research team from the University of Greifswald published a study in June showing that rewetting drained peatland and installing solar panels on top can stop carbon leakage while producing electricity. Drained peatlands cover 3% of global land but emit about 5% of greenhouse gases. Rewetting stops the decomposition that releases CO2, and the solar panels provide an income stream that replaces lost farm revenue. The study found that birds including endangered meadow pipits returned to the rewetted site, using the panels as perches. A separate Finnish study showed that pile foundations can anchor panels in saturated ground without draining it, and rewetting nearly halved soil emissions. Only about five such sites exist worldwide, but the model could change the economics of peatland restoration by letting farmers profit from rewetting instead of losing money.