Why AgriPV?
AgriPV stands for the simultaneous use of land for agriculture and solar energy. In this way, we create sustainable synergies between energy and nutrition.
Case study: Solar power over the apple orchard in Kressbronn
The agri-PV pilot plant above the apple orchard of the Bernhard fruit farm consists of a metal frame on which solar modules are mounted. These are particularly stable Almaden double-glass modules with a transparency of around 40%. The green electricity generated is fed into the grid of the energy supplier Regionalwerk Bodensee. "Agri-photovoltaics is a great opportunity for agriculture, sustainability and energy supply," said Prime Minister Kretschmann, who came to the inauguration of the plant. It offers protection against weather events such as hail, heavy rain or night frost. The system is also intended to reduce the use of pesticides, plant diseases and pest infestations.
Initial interim results from the Fraunhofer ISE Institute on the research project on the agri-PV plant installed two years ago in Kressborn show that
the crops grown under the systems benefit from partial shading,
the modules also produce more electricity than previously expected thanks to the cooling by the plants,
70 percent of the pesticides were saved on the area under the agri-PV plant,
irrigation requirements were reduced by 50 percent,
the agri-PV plant produces over 20 percent more electricity than the consortium had expected based on the simulations (according to PVSyst).
Without light there is no growth!
For a long time, farmers and fruit growers were concerned about the reduction in the amount of light available to plants caused by PV modules. Too little attention was paid to the fact that there are large differences in the amount of light required depending on the type and breed of plant. We have made a rough categorization in the table below.
In general, due to climate change, more and more plants can no longer tolerate full sunlight and must be protected from too much sun, for example by means of polytunnels.
There are further differences in the growth cycle. Young plants are usually very sensitive to excessive (UV) solar radiation and thrive better in shade. But even berries that need a lot of sun have produced a net yield that is around 6 percent higher in a practical test on a 3.3 hectare raspberry farm in Babberich, Netherlands, compared to conventional raspberry cultivation under plastic tunnels.
