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Solar system in Austria protects berries and allows citizen participation

December 3, 2024 ryansheehanrts

It is a project that farmer Johann Deix planned carefully. He started producing raspberries and blackberries in 2018. However, the berries don’t like it hot or wet. At the same time, he learned from a study by Wageningen University in the Netherlands that the fruit can tolerate up to 40 per cent shade without complaint.

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The Dutch scientists also found that the fruit grows more slowly when there is more shade. This is an advantage for the farmer. He can extend his harvest by allowing some of the berries to grow in the sun and others in the shade.

Harvest season extended

These arguments persuaded Johann Deix to cover part of his plantation with semi-transparent solar modules with 35 per cent shading. The other parts have remained under the previous foil tunnels. This allows him to extend the harvest season and enjoy other benefits of the agri-PV system.

The solar modules protect the berries from heavy rain, hail and overheating. The system also requires less work than the foil tunnels, which have to be replaced regularly. ‘It also gets really hot in the 1,800 metres of foil tunnel in summer,’ explains Johann Deix. This is not good for the raspberries, nor for the farmer and his employees.

Solar power for self-consumption

The solar system also supplies a lot of electricity, which the farmer can consume directly on site. This is because the farmer needs around 120,000 kilowatt hours of electricity every year to cool the harvested berries. The new solar system with its 499 kilowatts of power will supply around four and a half times as much electricity.

Dual use of land: Download our Special Edition on agri-PV

The farmer shares the rest of the electricity with his neighbours. Matthias Zawichowski, manager of the climate and energy model region (KEM) Elsbeere Wienerwald, supported Johann Deix with the project development and is organising a local renewable energy community around the plant.

New financing idea

The farmer also took an unusual approach to financing. He gave anyone who wanted to the opportunity to participate. The citizen participation runs via so-called ‘solar building blocks’. This means that for a one-off payment of 360 euros, supporters receive a total of 36 bottles of raspberry Prosecco and six kilograms of raspberries over three years. ‘As well as a clear conscience,’ emphasises Matthias Zawichowski. The system is also subsidised via a market premium in accordance with the Austrian Renewable Energy Expansion Act.

Also interesting: Let the show begin! Sonnenkraft installs PV on listed theatre in Austria

Solar openings at Energy Decentral

You will also find solutions like this at this year’s Energy Decentral. Photovoltaics will take centre stage at the trade fair dedicated to the decentralised supply of renewable energy to farms. As part of the solar offensive spotlight, farmers and suppliers of solar systems and storage units will come into direct contact with each other. Find out more about the solar offensive here. (su/mfo)

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Solar power for farmers – Full programme at Energy Decentral

November 6, 2024 ryansheehanrts

The Euro Tier trade fair will take place at the exhibition grounds in Hanover from 12 to 15 November 2024. In Hall 25, there will be a special show on clean energy supply for farms and businesses with solar power, hydropower and biogas. Stand L10 will be running a comprehensive programme of free initial advice for farmers during the trade fair.

Numerous speakers will be presenting exemplary projects for agri-PV and the supply of self-generated solar power. The utilisation of low-value land for solar parks will also be discussed. Here is an overview of the programme:

Solar power in agriculture: Register now for expert advice at Energy Decentral

Tuesday, 12 November 2024:

10 a.m.: Farmer as energy farmer: examples from practice (Heiko Schwarzburger, editor-in-chief photovoltaik)

11 a.m.: Agri-PV and electrification of agriculture (Dr Erich Merkle, Managing Director Gridparity AG)

1 p.m.: Tips for solar roofs and Electricity storage units (Heiko Schwarzburger, Editor-in-Chief photovoltaik)

1:30 pm: Business models of storage systems in agri-PV (Maximilian Münnicke, storage expert from Huawei Fusionsolar)

2 p.m.: Practical experience in the management of Agri-PV systems (Sascha Krause-Tünker, CEO Next2Sun AG)

2.30 pm: Agri-PV: More yield per hectare – challenges and practical solutions for profitable agriculture (Andreas Pfeifer, Director Kronos Solar Projects)

3 p.m.: IBC Solar – Strong solar partner for farmers and commercial enterprises (Michael Kaufhold, Head of Project Development, IBC Solar)

3.30 pm: Agri-PV with solar fences (Udo Geisel, Head of Technology, Wagner Solar)

4 p.m.: Panel discussion on agri-PV and solar power generation

Wednesday, 13 November 2024:

10 a.m.: Agri-PV with solar fences (Stefan Röhn, Key Account Management, Wagner Solar)

11 a.m.: Agri-PV and electrification of agriculture (Dr Erich Merkle, Managing Director, Gridparity AG)

1 p.m.: IBC Solar – Strong solar partner for farmers and commercial enterprises (Michael Kaufhold, Head of Project Development, IBC Solar)

1.30 p.m.: Agri-PV project with research support (Marie Hoffmann, farmer from Greven)

2 p.m.: Agri-PV you can touch: Next2Sun projects in Germany (Sascha Krause-Tünker, CEO Next2Sun AG)

2.30 pm: Agri-PV: More yield per hectare – challenges and practical solutions for profitable agriculture (Andreas Pfeifer, Director Kronos Solar Projects)

3 p.m.: How to protect your Agri-PV system! (Klaus Bingel, sales expert at Gartenbau-Versicherung VVaG)

3.30 pm: Smart substations for use in agri-PV (Richard Verdezki, technology expert Huawei Fusionsolar)

4 p.m.: Panel discussion on agri-PV and solar power generation

Thursday, 14 November 2024:

10 a.m.: Opportunities and challenges of agri-PV (Phillip Küpper, Managing Director pv2energie)

11 a.m.: Agri-PV and the electrification of agriculture (Dr Erich Merkle, Managing Director Gridparity AG)

1 p.m.: How to protect your Agri-PV system! (Klaus Bingel, sales expert at Gartenbau-Versicherung VVaG)

2 pm: C&I storage systems and solutions for farmers (Guluma Megersa, expert for C&I systems, Huawei Fusionsolar)

14:30: Agri-PV: More yield per hectare – challenges and practical solutions for profitable agriculture (Christopher Kapels, Kronos Solar Projects)

3 p.m.: IBC Solar – Strong solar partner for farmers and commercial enterprises (Michael Kaufhold, Head of Project Development, IBC Solar)

3.30 pm: Practical experience in the management of agri-PV systems (Jana Hilker, Project Developer Next2Sun)

4 p.m.: Panel discussion on agri-PV and solar power generation

Friday, 15 November 2024:

10 a.m.: Opportunities and challenges of agri-PV (Phillip Küpper, Managing Director pv2energie)

11 a.m.: Agri-PV and electrification of agriculture (Dr Erich Merkle, Managing Director Gridparity AG)

1 p.m.: Solar power strengthens the competitiveness of agricultural businesses (Heiko Schwarzburger, editor-in-chief of photovoltaik)

13:30: Utility scale PV and storage solutions for agriculture (Kurt Weigand, expert for large-scale storage, Huawei Fusionsolar)

2 p.m.: Agri-PV at your fingertips: Next2Sun projects in Germany (Christian Meyer, Project Developer and Head of Sales Agri-PV Department, Next2Sun AG).

14:30: Agri-PV: More yield per hectare – challenges and practical solutions for profitable agriculture (Christopher Kapels, Kronos Solar Projects)

3 p.m.: IBC Solar – Strong solar partner for farmers and commercial enterprises (Nikolaus von Bismarck, Project Acquisition Manager, IBC Solar IBC Solar)

3.30 pm: Panel discussion on agri-PV and solar power generation

Registrations for free consultations are possible online until 8 November. After that, the experts will be available at the trade fair for last-minute bookings. Simply register at stand L10 in hall 25! (HS/mfo)

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Topic of the Week: Agriculture

October 10, 2024 ryansheehanrts

The majority of farmers are considering investing in a photovoltaic system on their land or are in favour of building such systems. The prerequisite is that the land can continue to be used for agriculture. This is the result of a recent survey of farmers by the DLG as part of the Agri-PV Practice Monitor.

In this survey, 125 farmers were asked how favourably their businesses were disposed towards new technologies and development opportunities. At 83 per cent, most of the interviewed farms were full-time businesses with a size between 100 and 200 hectares of agricultural land. After all, three quarters of the interviewed businesses already had a photovoltaic system on their roofs and therefore already had experience with solar power generation.

Most farmers want to invest in PV

In the survey, 95 per cent of the interviewed farmers stated that they were interested in new production processes and technologies. Actually, 90 per cent are looking for new development opportunities for their businesses. Accordingly, interest in open-field and agri-PV systems is high. More than half of the farmers surveyed would invest in an open-field system. Another third would consider it if the agricultural use of the arable land could continue after the installation of the solar system.

Crops are the main focus, PV is only secondary

In a direct comparison between a normal solar park and an agri-PV system, the trend is towards an agri-PV design. The advantages in terms of crop production aspects are the main reason given by the interviewees. The interviewees see the possibility of optimising the solar system, for example by means of semi-transparent modules or trackers, to the detriment of the electricity yield, in order to optimise the light supply for the plants as the main production goal. Accordingly, farmers prefer tracker systems to fixed elevations, whereby it makes no difference to them whether the modules are installed vertically or horizontally – the decisive factor here is whether they can be driven on and used for agriculture.

Positive impact on biodiversity

But farmers also see other advantages of photovoltaics. This is because it can have a positive impact on biodiversity. Wind erosion on the surface is also reduced by the solar system. However, the fact that the solar systems provide shade for the plants or protect them from the weather plays a less important role for the farmers surveyed. However, this may be because the interviewees included few berry and fruit growers, as well as winegrowers.

Criticism of the bureaucratic burden

However, farmers also see some disadvantages. For example, they expect tight limits on the use of machinery to cultivate the land. By contrast, they see less of a problem with the plants being shaded by the agri-PV system. Farmers are also sceptical from a business point of view. Although they do see that agri-PV can provide them with a second source of income, they believe that investing in photovoltaics takes priority over other investments.

Furthermore, the farmers interviewed fear a high level of bureaucracy and uncertain framework conditions if they decide in favour of photovoltaics as an investment. This could indeed prevent investments.

To stay up to date on all the new developments in the solar industry, sign up to our FREE NEWSLETTER NOW!

Self-consumption in animal husbandry, dual use in arable farming

Self-consumption of the solar power produced plays only a minor role in the investment. The focus is on feeding the solar power into the grid. However, it depends on what the farmers produce. While farmers who mainly deal with crop production are less interested in using their own solar power, the situation is different for livestock farmers. These businesses have high energy consumption and they actually see using their own solar power as an opportunity to reduce their energy costs during periods of high energy prices. For these farmers, the interest in an east-west orientation of the solar system outweighs that of a south-facing installation of the modules.

Lack of information on regulatory issues

The farmers feel well informed about the technologies and their applications. However, there is great interest in information about the latest developments in the industry and in the area of legal frameworks. They also need support in taking the necessary steps to get their own solar system. Among other things, this involves questions of grid connection and building law. Thus, possible investments are prevented both by a sluggish grid expansion and by the fact that the municipalities partially limit the usable areas. In addition, there are difficulties in coping with the grid operators, in solving building law problems and when it comes to the question of whether the area can be used again as before.

Also interesting: Dual use of land: New special on Agri-PV

You will receive support on legal and regulatory issues at EnergyDecentral. Here you can come into direct contact with suppliers from the solar and storage industry as part of the solar offensive and discuss specific steps for implementing your agri-PV project. You will also receive extensive information from the speakers on the Spotlight Solar Offensive stage. (su/mfo)

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Study on agri-PV – Farmers are favourably minded towards photovoltaics

October 8, 2024 ryansheehanrts

Most farmers want to invest in PV

Crops are the main focus, PV is only secondary

Positive impact on biodiversity

Criticism of the bureaucratic burden

To stay up to date on all the new developments in the solar industry, sign up to our FREE NEWSLETTER NOW!

Self-consumption in animal husbandry, dual use in arable farming

Lack of information on regulatory issues

Also interesting: Dual use of land: New special on Agri-PV

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Agri-PV park with PPA and more biodiversity

August 8, 2024 ryansheehanrts

In November 2022, the VELUX Group and BayWa r.e. announced the conclusion of a PPA on the basis of which two large PV solar parks were to be built in southern Spain: one in Gerena, near Seville, and one in Alhendín, near Granada. The park in Alhendín has now been completed and has recently started feeding electricity into the local grid.

With the full commissioning of Alhendín, the VELUX Group has not only achieved its goal of supplying itself with 100 percent renewable electricity, but has also enabled the construction of further renewable energy plants in Europe. The solar park consists of more than 85,000 solar modules and produces 96.8 GWh of electricity per year. This corresponds to the electricity consumption of 24,700 European households.

Innovative agri-PV system

Part of Alhendín combines agriculture with renewable energy generation as an agri-PV plant and is BayWa r.e.’s first agri-PV project in Spain: Agricultural machinery can now drive between the rows of solar modules on around 10 percent of the area.

“The completion of the Alhendín solar park and its connection to the Spanish electricity grid will enable VELUX to achieve its green energy supply targets,” says Kim Jonas, Energy & Climate Director of the VELUX Group. “The project, which focuses on agricultural use and biodiversity, fits perfectly with our ambition to drive climate action and improve biodiversity. Together with BayWa r.e., we are implementing the Solar Plant Symbiosis concept, which enables solar energy production in harmony with nature and the local population.”

Also see: Agrisolar: New digital map presents European projects

Daniel Gäfke, Global Director of Projects and Member of the Board of Management of BayWa r.e., adds: “We are delighted to be able to support VELUX in achieving the target of 100 percent renewable electricity for its European sites. This is also an important milestone for BayWa r.e. to accelerate the energy transition in companies in order to achieve global climate targets. Just like VELUX, our approach is to go beyond the usual standards. Therefore, in this project, we will implement pioneering Agri-PV concepts that enhance biodiversity, promote local stakeholder engagement, and maximize local value creation.”

Solar Plant Symbiosis

The Solar Plant Symbiosis concept includes a series of measures to promote biodiversity and the involvement of local stakeholders. It was developed by the Universidad de Córdoba and the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and so far includes the following measures as part of the project:

– Baseline surveys, digitization and monitoring of vegetation

– Agri-PV system and rainwater collection system

– Grass planting with natural seeds and wildflower species

– Shelters for wildlife, ponds for amphibians, bird baths, nesting boxes and posts

– Breeding site to protect the endangered lesser kestrel species

– Improvement of the steppe habitat

– Monitoring and evaluation of the measures to create a guide that can be used to adopt best practice in other projects

– Social actions on the ground, such as workshops with local stakeholders and school visits

Next steps

The measures are to be gradually implemented at the Alhendín solar park by spring 2025. The second PV project of the collaboration, the Gerena solar park, is currently still awaiting official approval on site and is scheduled for completion in 2025. The park is expected to have an output of 60 MWp.

When both solar plants are fully operational, they will generate 167 GWh of renewable electricity for VELUX every year. This corresponds to the electricity consumption of around 45,000 European households. Around 80 percent of the electricity generated will go to VELUX via the PPA and will reduce the VELUX Group’s carbon footprint in Europe by around 40,000 tons of CO2 annually.

More at Intersolar Europe

BayWa r.e. will be presenting its comprehensive product and service portfolio in the PV sector at the Intersolar Europe trade fair in Munich (Hall A4, Stand 180) from June 19-21. Among other things, visitors will be able to view an agri-PV system in the outdoor area, which will be installed by BayWa r.e. together with partners. (hcn)

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PV – Goldbeck Solar and Imwind build agri-PV park with multiple benefits

August 5, 2024 ryansheehanrts

The project developers Goldbeck Solar and Imwind are jointly constructing a solar park in Gaweinstal, Lower Austria. The plant will have an output of five megawatts. The electricity will be purchased in full by the drugstore chain DM. The three partners have concluded a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) for this purpose. In this way, Goldbeck Solar and Imwind can refinance the plant and DM has capped its energy costs for the agreed supply period.

Spotlight Solar: Meet farmers at Energy Decental

PPA concluded

DM can cover the electricity requirements of around 70 shops in Austria with the system. This is one sixth of the total electricity requirements of DM shops in the Alpine republic. This works all the better because Goldbeck and Imwind will mount the solar modules from Trina on 8,200 trackers that follow the path of the sun. This results in an even distribution of power generation throughout the day – in contrast to the fixed installation of the modules, where the system generates little power in the morning and evening, but has a huge yield peak at midday.

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By permanently realigning the modules according to the position of the sun, the system also achieves up to 20 per cent more yield compared to a fixed installation. However, the trackers have even more advantages. According to the project partners, such systems have the potential to improve the microclimate in the area and reduce water evaporation.

Vertical modules

In addition, the modules can be set up almost vertically in cultivation mode. This makes it possible to continue using the area almost entirely for agricultural purposes. This is why the project was specifically geared towards the agri-PV farmer and coordinated with the farmer, who continues to use the area for roughage cultivation and livestock farming. This saves the farmer having to buy in feed for his animals from the Waldviertel.

Economic and ecological benefits

In this way, the project also saves further CO2, as the feed does not have to be transported from the Waldviertel to Gaweinstal. “With the Agri-PV Park in Gaweinstal, we are sending a strong signal for the combination of sustainable energy generation and agricultural use,” emphasises Tobias Schüssler, who is responsible for operations at Goldbeck Solar. “This project shows how innovative technologies can offer economic and ecological benefits at the same time.”

Also interesting: Solar plant in Austria protects berries and involves citizens

Realising further projects

For the company, the plant in Gaweinstal is another important milestone not only on the Austrian market, but also in its cooperation with Imwind in the development of agri-PV projects. The tracker technology reveals its universal advantages and sustainable effects.

Solar offensive at EnergyDecentral

You can discuss these and other projects with interested farmers directly at this year’s EnergyDecentral. As part of the trade fair’s solar offensive on decentralised energy supply for farms, there will be the opportunity to develop ideas and specific projects together with farmers at advisory tables. All information about the solar campaign is available here. (su/mfo)

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PV – Agrosolar Europe and Fibr have developed an agri-PV system with natural materials

July 31, 2024 ryansheehanrts

The circular economy and sustainability are becoming increasingly important in agriculture. This also applies to the transition of farms to photovoltaics. This also includes the dual use of land for additional solar power production. The supplier of such systems Agrosolar Europe has therefore now developed a mounting system whose load-bearing parts do not require any steel at all. They are made exclusively from renewable raw materials.

High load-bearing capacity achieved

Agrosolar Europe developed the lightweight system together with filament manufacturer Fibr. The substructure has been undergoing trials since 2023. This year, Agrosolar Europe is planning to build the first pilot project before the system goes into series production in 2026.

Materials such as flax, carbon, wood fibre or other renewable raw materials are processed to produce the substructure in such a way that they are particularly strong. The new structures resemble trees rather than buildings and blend in perfectly with the landscape, emphasise the project partners. The spun lightweight construction of the organic material not only achieves a particularly high load-bearing capacity. At the same time, the use of natural materials is reduced by 90 per cent.

Less weight, faster installation

By dispensing with steel, Agrosolar also claims a weight saving of 90 per cent compared to previous constructions. This makes the substructure for agri-PV systems easier and cheaper to assemble, as fewer machines and personnel are required.

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More acceptance for agri-PV

Agrosolar Europ assumes that the use of renewable materials will also further improve public acceptance of agri-PV. “In future, we will be able to manufacture our agri-PV systems from the very materials that are grown under the systems,” emphasises Markus Haastert, Managing Director of Agrosolar Europe. “We are thus bringing value creation back to Germany and minimising dependencies on other markets.”

Also interesting: Apply for the Energy Decentral Innovation Award 2024 by 31 June

Moritz Dörstelmannn, founder and CEO of Fibr, adds: “With our resource-efficient lightweight construction method, extremely long-span, high-load-bearing support structures can be produced. In cooperation with Agrosolar Europe, we can optimally utilise this technology to create sustainable and efficient solutions for agriculture,” he says. (su/mfo)

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