The EU has ambitious goals: around 750 gigawatts (GW) of solar energy should be installed by 2030. In this context, dual land use concepts, especially agri-photovoltaics (PV), are becoming increasingly important.
According to a study by dena (German Energy Agency), agri-PV is on the verge of a market ramp-up in Europe, supported by funding programs and its own legislation. At the same time, applied research on agri-PV is making great progress and more and more projects are being implemented.
At IIntersolar Europe, the world‘s leading trade fair for the solar industry, visitors have the opportunity to get to know a diverse range of technologies, products and solutions as well as gain in-depth insights into current best practices and developments.
Greentech Focus: Europe’s largest trade fair alliance for the energy industry
Intersolar Europe will take place in Munich from June 19 to 21, 2024 as part of The smarter E Europe, Europe’s largest trade fair alliance for the energy industry – accompanied by the three trade fairs ees Europe, Power2Drive Europe and EM-Power Europe.
Agriculture or renewable energy – in the past this was an either/or question. Today, however, agri-PV as an innovative application offers promising opportunities for agriculture and climate protection. It promises to combine agricultural production and renewable electricity generation on the same area. Instead of competing, photovoltaics and photosynthesis can effectively complement each other.
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Comprehensive funding at EU country level
European countries such as Germany and France are promoting agri-PV to promote solar expansion while minimizing competition for space. With Solar Package 1, Germany has introduced its own auction segment with a maximum value for “special solar systems” – including agri-PV systems – and France is considered a pioneer with its own legislation. Other countries such as Austria and the Netherlands are also leaders in agri-PV.
Despite this progress, there is currently a lack of uniform legislation at the pan-European level, which leads to a high expenditure of resources for international investors and project developers.
Opportunities of Agri-PV: Recognize and use advantages
Uniform legislation is essential in the medium term in order to exploit the full potential of agri-PV. And its advantages are clear: it enables solar energy and agriculture to be combined, as well as the additional benefit for agricultural operations through protection against storm, hail, frost and drought damage. In addition, it leads to lower electricity production costs compared to small PV roof systems and diversifies agricultural income.
In addition, the shading and wind protection lead to less evaporation; innovative models with rainwater harvesting on the panels and its use for watering plants are in the starting blocks. The resilience of many agricultural businesses to crop failures can be increased with these measures.
A wide range of possible uses: from gardening and viticulture to wide arable land and pastures
The application areas of Agri-PV extend across various areas of agriculture, including horticulture and viticulture, arable land and livestock pastures. In horticulture and viticulture, the potential of Agri-PV is particularly evident in increasing the yields of certain plant varieties. Berries, grapes and olives benefit from this technology, particularly in southern European countries where climatic conditions are changing. Fruit and fruit vegetables can also achieve consistent yields despite little shade.
According to a study by Iliotec and Fraunhofer ISE, Agri-PV opens up new opportunities for numerous arable crops on arable land. For example, rapeseed, celery, onions and cabbage have a positive influence. The row spacing plays a crucial role, especially for plants that are susceptible to shading. On pastures, however, Agri-PV modules act as a protective shield against wind and weather, improving the well-being of the animals.
Greentech trade fair: Best practice projects in Europe
Pilot projects are starting across Europe. In Meierijstad, the Netherlands, BayWa re AG’s groundbreaking agri-PV project in collaboration with its subsidiary GroenLeven is taking shape: an 8.7 megawatt peak solar system that covers an entire raspberry plantation. At the same time, the largest agri-PV system in Europe with 135 megawatts (MW) of output is being built in Sicily, with figs and olives growing between the rows of modules. In Germany, Next2Sun Technology GmbH is working on a 20 MW solar park with vertically mounted modules in Neißeaue. In parallel, Vattenfall is implementing a significant Agri-PV project in Tützplatz, Germany, with 79 MW on 93 hectares, supported by a single-axis tracking system and producing organic free-range eggs.
Intersolar Europe 2024: special attention to Agri-PV
Intersolar Europe, the world‘s leading trade fair for the solar industry, will be paying particular attention to the topic of Agri-PV in 2024. Visitors can look forward to a special exhibition in the outdoor area. Partners of the special show are BayWa AG, BayWa re, Conexio PSE, Vista Geo and the ZIMMERMANN PV-Steel Group. The companies will be presenting, among other things, tracking systems for Agri-PV applications.
In addition, visitors to the exhibition halls can obtain information from over 60 exhibitors from the more than 1,370 Intersolar Europe exhibitors who are showing products and solutions for agri-PV. Experts also deepen the topic through comprehensive sessions in the Intersolar Forum and during the Intersolar Europe Conference, thereby expanding the range of knowledge available.
Intersolar Europe and the parallel events ees Europe, Power2Drive Europe and EM-Power Europe will take place at the Munich Trade Fair from June 19 to 21, 2024 as part of The smarter E Europe, Europe’s largest trade fair alliance for the energy industry.
Further information
www.intersolar.de
TheSmarterE
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