“Model Region Agri-Photovoltaics Baden-Württemberg” demonstrates synergy effects of dual agri-PV land use in Oberkirch-Nussbach

🌻 In the German state of Baden-Württemberg, located in the heart of Europe and known for its technological innovations, an outstanding research project has been launched that could significantly shape the future of agriculture and energy production. Titled “Model Region Agri-Photovoltaics for Baden-Württemberg,” this initiative involves a consortium of 13 partners, led by the renowned Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, who are building and researching various pilot plants for agri-photovoltaics (APV).

🚜🌞 Pilot projects and initial results

The combination of agriculture and photovoltaics offers an innovative solution to the growing problem of land competition between food production and clean energy generation. The initial results of this project are promising: crops growing in the shade of PV modules not only exhibit better health and less stress, but the PV modules themselves also deliver higher electricity yields than originally calculated, thanks to the cooling effect of the vegetation.

“We recently saw record figures for the expansion of photovoltaics in Baden-Württemberg. However, to successfully manage the energy transition, the figures for ground-mounted PV systems need to accelerate even further. Land is limited. The major advantage of agri-PV is that we can utilize space for two purposes. This further advances solar expansion and thus the energy transition. Therefore, today's inauguration of the plant in Nußbach, the largest agri-PV system in fruit growing in Germany, is an important signal. The ‘Model Region Agri-Photovoltaics Baden-Württemberg’ demonstrates that PV use and agriculture can form a fruitful symbiosis without creating conflicts over land use,” said State Secretary Dr. Andre Baumann in his opening speech at the Vollmer fruit farm.

🌳🍏 Commissioning of systems

On April 12, 2024, the fifth plant of the project was officially opened at the Vollmer fruit farm in Oberkirch-Nussbach by the State Secretary in the Ministry for the Environment, Climate and Energy, Dr. Andre Baumann. This plant highlights the focus on a well-thought-out combination of pome and berry fruits with innovative tracking photovoltaic modules.

"Not only do the plants benefit from the PV system, but the PV system also benefits from the plants if the agri-PV system is planned appropriately," summarized Oliver Hörnle, project manager at Fraunhofer ISE, regarding the interim results at the opening.

🔋⚡ Expansion of photovoltaics in Baden-Württemberg

Baden-Württemberg is a driving force in the expansion of photovoltaics. The challenge lies in advancing the energy transition without losing valuable agricultural land, as Dr. Baumann emphasized in his inspiring opening speech. The goal is clear: the dual use of land should efficiently support the expansion of solar energy without conflicting with agriculture.

🍃💧 Long-term observations and savings at the project's first agri-PV plant

The agrivoltaic system above apple trees in Kressbronn on Lake Constance has been providing data for two years. It has been observed that the orchard has achieved a 70 percent reduction in pesticide use and a 50 percent reduction in water consumption. These findings are particularly significant in light of intensifying climate change, which is characterized by excessive solar radiation and insufficient rainfall. Furthermore, electricity production has been measured to be over 20 percent higher than expected. The interplay of evaporative cooling and air circulation through the ventilation system is considered a possible reason for this increased output.

More information here:

• Agri-Solar for fruit growing: Agri-PV in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate for CO2-neutral fruit cultivation (fruit and vegetables)

🤝 Win-win situation through agri-PV

Oliver Hörnle, project manager at Fraunhofer ISE, emphasized that this project shows how plants and PV systems can benefit from each other in a suitably planned agri-PV system, thus underlining the win-win situation that results from intelligent planning and technology.

👩‍🔬💡 Technology development and pilot plants

The newest plant in Oberkirch-Nussbach is a sophisticated combination of various sub-projects: fixed PV modules above different fruit varieties and semi-transparent systems in a polytunnel structure over berry plants. A special feature is the tracking system with fully shading modules, which is optimized by innovative tracking algorithms developed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE). Here, half of the modules are tracked according to plant physiological principles, while the other half are controlled according to sun-optimized parameters. These developments will be implemented and tested in the system of project partner Intech Clean Energy starting in mid-2024.

“The special feature of the tracking PV system is the halving of the 140-meter-long rows. One half of the rows is tracked taking plant physiological aspects into account, while the other half is controlled purely according to sun-optimized parameters,” explains farmer and entrepreneur Dr. Hansjörg Vollmer

🎯🌿 Project Goals and Outlook

The overarching goal of this ambitious project is to answer questions about the dual use of land for agriculture and solar power generation, and to prove the feasibility and efficiency of various applications and designs in practice by creating tailor-made and technologically diverse pilot plants at different locations.

🌐🚜 Global importance of agri-photovoltaics

This research project, which runs until the end of 2024, offers a glimpse into a future where sustainable energy production and productive agriculture can go hand in hand. It is supported by the state ministries for the environment, climate and energy, and for food, rural areas and consumer protection in Baden-Württemberg.

The development of these model systems symbolizes a new era of coexistence and cooperation between agriculture and renewable energies. The findings from Baden-Württemberg's agri-photovoltaics initiative could pave the way and serve as a model for the global implementation of dual land use through the integration of solar power and agriculture.

📣 Similar topics

• ☀️ The future of energy: Agri-photovoltaics in Baden-Württemberg
• 🌱 Eco-innovation: Plants cool PV modules and increase yields
• 🍏 Sustainability in fruit growing: Less pesticide use under PV systems
• 💧 Agri-PV as an answer to climate change: Reduction of irrigation needs
• ⚡ New dimensions of electricity production through agri-PV
• 🌻 The symbiosis of solar power and agriculture: Advancing agri-PV
• 🔋 Opening of Germany's largest agri-PV plant in fruit growing
• 🍇 Agri-PV Innovation: Tracking of PV modules and plant physiology
• ✅ Pilot projects in Baden-Württemberg: Dual land use through agri-PV
• 🔄 Agri-photovoltaics: A sustainable revolution in land use

#️⃣ Hashtags: #AgriPhotovoltaics #EnergyTransition #SustainableFruitGrowing #ClimateProtection #AgriculturalInnovation

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