Agri-photovoltaics – The missing piece of the puzzle for energy producers and agricultural energy: Agricultural electricity generation using agri-PV

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

The majority of biomass comes from agricultural residues such as manure, slurry, and straw. According to the Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR), only one-third of this potential is currently being utilized. Energy wood, including forest and industrial residues as well as waste wood, is the second most widely used form of biomass. Two-thirds of this potential is already being utilized.

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 biomass is cultivated. Agricultural land used for energy crops can no longer be used for food and feed production. The increasing demand for biomass leads to changes in land use. In the long term, this competition can, among other things, increase the price of agricultural products.

Furthermore, biomass is the least efficient use of renewable energy. Its efficiency (i.e., 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 surpass 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 statistic shows the share of renewable energy sources in gross electricity generation in Germany in 2020 and 2021. In 2021, around 7.5 percent of total gross electricity generation in Germany was produced from biomass.

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

• Wind power (onshore) – 18.40%
• 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%
• 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 %

*Preliminary.

Semi-transparent solar modules are already being used in a research facility of 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 cultivation (fruit and vegetables)

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

Biomass output

In 2011, biomass accounted for 25.88% of gross electricity generation from renewable energy sources alone (124.02 terawatt hours/TWh). In 2021, total gross renewable energy generation reached 238 TWh. This represents an increase of almost 92% over 10 years. The share of biomass, which was 25.88% in 2011, fell to 18.45% in 2021.

Power output of wind turbines

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

Output of renewable energy (RE) plants worldwide

Worldwide, the installed capacity of renewable energy plants is increasing annually. Most recently, Asia had the highest installed capacity. Europe recorded just under half the installed capacity of Asia. Among renewable energy plants, hydropower was the energy source with the highest installed capacity worldwide.

Gross electricity generation from renewable energies in Germany by energy source in year-on-year comparison 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 year-on-year comparison 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.
** Generation only from the biogenic fraction of municipal solid waste (approx. 50 percent).

Even though biomass has not developed as rapidly in the last 10 years and has been overtaken by photovoltaics, its storage and availability remain a crucial advantage over photovoltaics, which must be further promoted. It is clear to all involved that biomass cannot be expanded to the same extent as solar power generation. However, significant progress can still be made with biomass, particularly in expanding existing potential.

Even agrivoltaics cannot compensate for the disadvantage of poor energy storage. Compared to biomass, there is no comparable scale of energy storage in terms of a positive environmental impact. In short, biomass will always be cheaper to store than energy storage, which is also reflected in the environmental impact assessment. The environmental impact of energy storage is only positive if the energy used in its production is saved during the usage process.

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

Thanks to transparent solar modules, rural areas with active agriculture have access to an expanded and cost-effective energy source. This applies to areas that are actually fertile and valuable land for agriculture and cannot be used for photovoltaic power generation, such as ground-mounted systems.

The light transmission of transparent solar modules allows for the generation of electricity while simultaneously enabling the cultivation and growing of plants.

The situation is different for installations also known as ground-mounted solar farms, open-air solar farms, or solar parks. A prerequisite for these installations is that profitable agricultural cultivation 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 in non-disadvantaged areas. Disadvantaged areas are subdivided into mountainous areas, disadvantaged agricultural areas, and small areas.

Soil composition and fertility (soil points) also play an important role. This includes the Agricultural Comparative Value (LVZ). It represents the approximate agricultural or horticultural profitability of a farm according to the Law on the Valuation of Arable Land passed on October 16, 1934. LVZ calculations incorporate factors such as soil fertility, general soil conditions, soil quality, climatic conditions, and irrigation.

If these factors and soil conditions are assessed positively, and therefore a permit to construct a solar park or ground-mounted photovoltaic system on this usable agricultural land is denied, then agrivoltaics becomes an interesting alternative and more efficient measure. This approach essentially allows for double the utilization of the agricultural land.

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 standardizing the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), Germany has created the conditions for the widespread construction of agrivoltaic (AgriPV) systems and the corresponding compensation for their output. This shift in thinking is urgently needed, as it allows for the utilization of as much land as possible for the further expansion of photovoltaics. Otherwise, the solar expansion targets set for the energy transition in Europe will be impossible to achieve. The dual use of agricultural land is a crucial factor for Germany to achieve its goal of quadrupling PV installations to 215 gigawatts by 2030 in just seven years. Approximately 54 GW have been installed in the last 25 years.

A major advantage of decentralized agrivoltaic systems is that a significant portion of their electricity yield is often used locally, and grid connection typically does not require the extensive grid expansion necessary for other ground-mounted systems. Two distinct systems have emerged.

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