Agri-photovoltaics – The missing puzzle for energy economists and agricultural energy: agricultural power generation or electricity generation with agri-PV

When you talk about rural energy management or the use of renewable energies in agriculture, you usually first think of biogas plants. In fact, in the last 10 years, these systems have become more widespread and account for a significant share of renewable energy in agriculture in electricity generation (2021 with 18.45%).

The majority of biomass comes from agricultural residues such as manure, liquid manure and straw. According to the Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR), only a third of the potential is being exploited. In second place in the use of biomass is energy wood, i.e. forest and industrial waste wood as well as waste wood. Two thirds of this potential is already being used.

An important advantage of bioenergy is that it can be stored and compensates for fluctuations in wind and solar energy.

The disadvantages of bioenergy are particularly pronounced when growing biomass. Agricultural land on which energy crops are grown can no longer be used for food and feed production. The increasing demand for biomass is leading to changes in land use. In the long term, this competition can, among other things, make agricultural products more expensive.

Furthermore, biomass is the least efficient use of renewable energy. Their efficiency (that is, the amount of energy produced on a given area) is between 0.5 and 1%. The efficiency of a solar module is around 20%. Wind and solar energy significantly outperform biomass in terms of area efficiency.

Share of renewable energy sources in gross electricity generation in Germany in 2020 and 2021 - Image: Xpert.Digital

The statistics show the share of renewable energy sources in gross electricity generation in Germany in 2020 and 2021. In 2021, around 7.5 percent of the total gross electricity generation in Germany was produced by biomass.

Share of renewable energy sources in gross electricity generation in Germany 2020

• Wind power (onshore) – 18.40 in %
• Photovoltaics – 8.60 in %
• Biomass – 7.80 in %
• Wind power (offshore) – 4.80 in %
• Hydropower – 3.30 in %
• Municipal waste – 1 in %
• Geothermal energy – 0.04 in %

Share of renewable energy sources in gross electricity generation in Germany 2021*

• Wind power (onshore) – 15.80 in %
• Photovoltaics – 8.80 in %
• Biomass – 7.50 in %
• Wind power (offshore) – 4.30 in %
• Hydropower – 3.40 in %
• Municipal waste – 1 in %
• Geothermal energy – 0.03 in %

*Provisionally.

Partially transparent solar modules are already being used in a research facility in the “Model Region Agri-Photovoltaics Baden Württemberg”.

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

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The solar system planner for the most common applications: Plan the solar system online here - Image: Xpert.Digital

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Renewable energies - electricity generation in Germany by energy source 2011 and 2021 - Image: Xpert.Digital

Biomass performance

In 2011, the share of biomass for gross electricity generation from only renewable energies (124.02 terawatt hours/TWh) was 25.88%. In 2021, the total gross generation of renewable energies was 238 TWh. That's an increase of almost 92% after 10 years. The share of biomass was still 25.88% in 2011. In 2021 the share fell to 18.45%.

Performance of the wind turbines

Onshore wind energy also increased its electricity generation significantly. This is due to the increase in installed capacity, particularly in the years 2014 to 2017. However, in recent years the expansion has declined significantly. The market for offshore wind turbines has also been subject to significant fluctuations recently.

Performance of renewable energy (RE) plants worldwide

Worldwide, the installed capacity of renewable energy systems is increasing every year. Most recently, most of the power was installed in Asia. Europe recorded almost half as much installed capacity as Asia. Among renewable energy systems, hydropower was the energy source with the most installed capacity worldwide.

Gross electricity generation from renewable energies in Germany by energy source in a year-on-year comparison in 2011

• Onshore wind power – 49.20 in terawatt hours
• Photovoltaics – 19.60 in terawatt hours
• Biomass – 32.10 in terawatt hours
• Offshore wind power – 0.60 in terawatt hours
• Hydropower* – 17.70 in terawatt hours
• Household waste** – 4.80 in terawatt hours
• Geothermal energy – 0.02 in terawatt hours

Gross electricity generation from renewable energies in Germany by energy source in a year-on-year comparison in 2021

• Onshore wind power – 92 in terawatt hours
• Photovoltaics – 51.20 in terawatt hours
• Biomass – 43.90 in terawatt hours
• Offshore wind power – 25.30 in terawatt hours
• Hydropower* – 19.70 in terawatt hours
• Household waste** – 5.70 in terawatt hours
• Geothermal energy – 0.20 in terawatt hours

* Generation in run-of-river and storage hydroelectric power plants as well as generation from natural inflow in pumped storage power plants.
** Only produced from the biogenic portion of household waste (approx. 50 percent).

Even if biomass has not developed so much in the last 10 years and has been overtaken by photovoltaics, the storage and availability of biomass remains a decisive advantage over photovoltaics that must be promoted accordingly. It is clear to everyone involved that biomass cannot be expanded to the same extent as solar power generation. A lot can still be achieved with biomass, especially in expanding the existing potential.

Agri-photovoltaics cannot compensate for the disadvantage of poor energy storage. Compared to biomass, there is no comparable magnitude of positive ecological balance with electricity storage. In short: Biomass will always be cheaper for energy storage or storage than electricity storage, which is also reflected in the ecological balance. The ecological balance of electricity storage is only good if the energy used in the production of the electricity storage is saved in the usage process.

The combination and expansion of the functionality of biomass with agri-photovoltaics results in a consolidation and increased potential in agricultural electricity generation!

Thanks to transparent solar modules, rural areas with active agriculture have an expanded and cost-effective energy source available. In other words, for areas that actually represent fertile and valuable soil for agriculture and cannot be used for photovoltaic electricity generation, such as open-space systems.

Through the translucence of transparent solar modules, electricity can be generated and at the same time enable the cultivation and cultivation of plants.

The situation is different for systems that are also referred to as open-air systems, open-air systems or solar parks. The prerequisite for these systems is that profitable agricultural management is not possible using these areas. These are “disadvantaged areas” where difficult natural production conditions due to altitude, slope, climatic conditions, accessibility or poor soil quality are more likely to lead to the abandonment of agriculture than non-disadvantaged areas. Disadvantaged areas are divided into mountainous areas, disadvantaged agricultural areas and small areas.

The soil quality or soil fertility (soil points) also plays an important role here. This includes the agricultural comparative number (LVZ). It represents the approximate agricultural or horticultural profitability of a farm according to the Farmland Valuation Act passed on October 16, 1934. LVZ calculations include factors such as soil fertility, general soil conditions, soil quality, climatic conditions and soil irrigation.

If these points and soil conditions are assessed positively and a permit is therefore negative to build a solar park or open-field photovoltaic system on this usable agricultural land, then agricultural photovoltaics becomes interesting as an expanded and potential-enhancing measure. This methodology essentially enables the agricultural area to be utilized twice.

Agriphotovoltaics for agriculture and the energy transition – Image: Xpert.Digital / affendi shahidan|Shutterstock.com

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• Agri-PV systems / AgriPV: A huge opportunity with agriphotovoltaics for agriculture and the energy transition

By leveling the EEG, Germany has created the conditions so that AgriPV systems can be built on a broad front and the income can also be compensated. This rethinking is also urgently needed, as as many areas as possible can be used for the further expansion of photovoltaics. Otherwise, the solar expansion goals aimed at for the energy transition in Europe cannot be achieved at all. The dual use of agricultural land is an essential factor for Germany to achieve the desired quadrupling of PV installations in just 7 years to 215 gigawatts by 2030. Approximately 54 GW have been installed in the last 25 years.

A major advantage of decentralized AgriPV systems is that a significant portion of their electricity yield is often used locally, and the grid connection generally does not require as much network expansion as other open-space systems. Two different systems have developed.

Everything from a single source, specially designed for solar solutions for large agri-PV systems. You refinance or counterfinance into the future with your own electricity generation.

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