Project by: Tanvee Thapa, Vinayak Bhattacharya Project Site: Canaro, Rovigo, Italy Under the banner of ‘Rewild’, this initiative extends a helping hand to nature, facilitating the reclamation of lands once teeming with willows, marshes, hygrophilous woods, and woodlands. At its core, this visionary project emerges as a response to the complex challenge of decommissioning solar panels by transforming it into an opportunity to rewild aging solar parks that might otherwise be abandoned at the end of their operational life. Established in 2013, the Canaro solar park showcased exceptional 90% to 100% efficiency. With the panels projected to reach their end-of-life in 2040, the project plans to decommission them. Pending government approval, a fresh panel array will be placed along the park’s perimeter every 30 years, sustaining renewable energy generation until 2100-the predicted “death of the solar plant”. Ultimately, the land will be returned to its original state, a sanctuary where the forest once thrived in perfect harmony. Furthermore, the retired panel structures will be repurposed to nurture the growth of forest trees, enhancing the eco-corridor and catalyzing the ‘rewild strategy’. This ecological transformation continues to expand, gradually maturing into a thriving forest. Additionally, central ditches within the park will be converted into a water canal, facilitating the eco-corridor’s formation through the transfer of water from nearby canals. This water will gradually seep into the spaces left by removed structural foundations, transforming the land into wetlands and revitalizing the water table.

A Land's Odyssey of a full circle

From a pristine land with a thriving forest to a Solar Park and back, infused with new human imprints culminating in a HYBRID form.

Reclaiming Freedom in Rusty Relics

What once was a solar park, now has rusty remains to become a catalyst for new habitats to thrive.

Cultivating HOPE

Decommissioned panel structures act as catalysts for Eco-corridor Afforestation transforming the former plant into lush woodlands for wildlife.

Resurgent wetland

A Tapestry of Solar Structural Foundation traces. An elder's return to a once vibrant solar park , now a tale for grandchildren.

'Death of a solar plant'

A meticulous timeline from the 2013 installation, followed by recurring decommissioning and reinstallation every three decades until 2100, unfolds parallel with a strategic afforestation and wetland creation effort. The ultimate goal: a rewilded land, returned to its pristine origins.