“Model Region Agri-Photovoltaics Baden-Württemberg” shows synergy effects of the double agri-PV land use in Oberkirch-Nussbach

🌻 In the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, which lies in the heart of Europe and is known for its innovations in technology, an outstanding research project was launched that could significantly shape the future of agriculture and energy production. It is entitled “Model Region Agri-Photovoltaics for Baden-Württemberg” and is an initiative in which a consortium of 13 partners, led by the renowned Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, sets up various pilot systems for agri-photovoltaics (APV). explored.

🚜🌞 Pilot projects and first results

Ceremonial opening of the fifth plant of the “Agri-Photovoltaics Model Region for Baden-Württemberg” at the Vollmer Obsthof in Oberkirch-Nussbach with State Secretary Dr. Andre Baumann (3rd from right) – Image: Fraunhofer ISE

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

“We recently recorded record figures for the expansion of photovoltaics in Baden-Württemberg. However, in order to successfully master the energy transition, the numbers for ground-mounted PV must continue to gain momentum. The areas are limited. The big advantage of Agri-PV is that we can use space twice. This further advances solar expansion and thus the energy transition. Therefore, today's inauguration of the system in Nußbach as the largest agri-PV system for fruit growing in Germany is an important sign. The 'Model Region Agri-Photovoltaics Baden-Württemberg' shows that PV use and agriculture can enter into a fruitful symbiosis without entering into a conflict of use over the area," said State Secretary Dr. Andre Baumann during his opening speech at the Vollmer fruit farm.

🌳🍏 Commissioning of systems

On April 12, 2024, the State Secretary in the Ministry for the Environment, Climate and Energy, Dr. Andre Baumann, ceremoniously opened the project's fifth facility. This system illustrates the focus on a well-thought-out combination of pome and soft fruit with innovative tracking PV 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, said Oliver Hörnle, project manager at Fraunhofer ISE, summarizing 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 is to advance the energy transition without losing valuable agricultural land, according to the inspiring words of Dr. Baumann during his opening speech. The goal is clear: the dual use of rooms should efficiently support the expansion of solar energy without coming into conflict with agriculture.

🍃💧 Long-term observations and savings on the project's first agri-PV system

The Agri-PV system above apple trees in Kressbronn on Lake Constance has been providing data for two years. Here it was found that the orchard was able to save 70 percent on pesticides and reduce water consumption by 50 percent. These findings are particularly important in view of the intensifying climate change - this results in excessive solar radiation and insufficient rainfall. In addition, electricity production was over 20 percent higher than expected. The interaction between evaporative cooling and air circulation through the rear ventilation is seen as a possible reason for this increased performance.

More about it here:

• Agri-Solar for fruit growing: Agri-PV in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate for CO2-neutral fruit growing (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, thereby underlining the win-win situation that can be achieved through intelligent planning and Technology results.

👩‍🔬💡 Technology development and pilot plants

The latest system in Oberkirch-Nussbach is a sophisticated combination of various sub-projects: fixed PV modules over various types of fruit and semi-transparent systems in a polytunnel structure over berry plants. A special aspect is the tracking system with fully shading modules, which is optimized using innovative tracking algorithms developed at Fraunhofer ISE. One half of the modules are tracked according to plant physiological aspects, while the other half is controlled according to sun-optimized parameters. These developments will be implemented and tested in the system system of the project partner Intech Clean Energy from mid-2024.

“The special thing about the tracked PV system is that the 140 meter long rows are halved. “One half of the rows are tracked taking into account plant physiological aspects, the other half are controlled purely according to sun-optimized parameters,” says farmer and entrepreneur Dr. Hansjörg Vollmer

🎯🌿 Goals and outlook of the project

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 systems at different locations.

🌐🚜 Global significance of agri-photovoltaics

Plums, apples, pears, kiwis and blackberries are planted under the agri-PV system at the Vollmer fruit farm - Part of the research facility in Oberkirch-Nussbach works with fully shaded modules - Image: Fraunhofer ISE

This research project, which will last until the end of 2024, provides a glimpse into a future in which sustainable energy production and productive agriculture can go hand in hand. It is supported by the state ministries for the environment, climate and energy industry as well as for nutrition, rural areas and consumer protection in Baden-Württemberg.

The development of these model plants symbolizes a new era of coexistence and cooperation between agriculture and renewable energies. The findings from Baden-Württemberg's agri-photovoltaics initiative could be groundbreaking and serve as a model for a 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 plant protection under PV systems
• 💧 Agri-PV as a response to climate change: reducing irrigation needs
• ⚡ New dimensions of electricity production through Agri-PV
• 🌻 The symbiosis of solar power and agriculture: Advancing Agri-PV
• 🔋 Opening of the largest German agri-PV system in fruit growing
• 🍇 Agri-PV Innovation: Tracking of PV modules and plant physiology
• ✅ Pilot projects in Baden-Württemberg: Double use of land through Agri-PV
• 🔄 Agri-photovoltaics: A sustainable revolution in land use

#️⃣ Hashtags: #AgriPhotovoltaics #EnergyWende #SustainableFruitgrowing #ClimateProtection #InnovationAgriculture

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