agriculture - Elite Home & Solar

Solar Energy

Italian agrivoltaics evolving into standalone industry

June 19, 2025 ryansheehanrts

Agri-PV is no longer just a technical add-on to solar development or a footnote in farming. It’s becoming a distinct industry in its own right, and one that bridges energy and agriculture in practical, forward-looking ways. By aligning both sectors towards a shared goal, agri-PV is supporting more sustainable and resilient production while bringing added value for landowners, farmers and energy providers.

Agri-PV: not a new option for circumventing laws

A common misconception, including even among authorities, is that agri-PV is simply a pretext for pushing PV projects onto agricultural land. Clear, consistent communication is needed to counter this view. At the heart of every project lies an agronomic concept. The PV element serves as a financing tool and a means of supporting more sustainable, resilient farming, and is not an end in itself.

Maximising the benefits of agri-PV

New project approach: planning starts with agriculture

In future, CCE plans to adopt a new strategic approach: projects will begin with a clear agronomic goal such as cultivating olives for high-quality organic oil, with the PV element added later. The solar system will be designed to suit the needs of the agricultural project, not the other way around.

CCE

Guest author Sandro Esposito.

Take the project in Santa Lucia (Lazio region), for example. An existing PV installation was converted into an agri-PV model focused on producing high-quality olives. The PV system helps secure financing and supports more sustainable, efficient crop management, while the agricultural approach prioritises quality over quantity. First marketable results are expected from 2026.

Marius Sinn of Next2Sun: “We achieve additional yields of up to ten percent”

Structural implementation – new companies with agronomic focus

CCE Italia plans to establish a separate company in 2025 dedicated entirely to the development and implementation of agri-PV projects. The focus is not only on generating electricity but also on producing high-quality agricultural goods for the market. Each project company will operate with its own structure, including agricultural management, monitoring systems and an expanded business model that combines energy sales with the marketing of agricultural products.

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Technology offers precision and control

The projects are based on advanced technologies, including sensor systems for yield and quality monitoring, precision farming, software-controlled water management, full carbon footprint measurement and resource efficiency tools. The goal is to achieve a fully documented and certified production process.

Scaling and market integration

The agri-PV concept is set to expand across Europe in the coming years. CCE’s membership in the Italian Association for Sustainable Agrivoltaics (AIAS) helps maintain close ties with key stakeholders in both agriculture and energy. It also provides a platform to shape new perspectives and support a shift in how agri-PV is understood. AIAS has already introduced a new job title: agrivoltore – an agricultural entrepreneur who is also an energy producer.

How Agri-PV supports regenerative and sustainable agriculture

Outlook: Quality instead of quantity, resilience instead of volume

Agri-PV offers a way to produce high-value agricultural goods with measurable environmental benefits – powered by clean energy and guided by intelligent control systems. The outcome is products with guaranteed origin, proven resource-efficient production and strong quality standards. As a result, agri-PV provides not only a new economic perspective for agriculture but also a tangible contribution to ecological transformation. (Sandro Esposito/hcn)

More about CCE

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Solar Energy

From concept to industry – the evolution of agrivoltaics in Italy

June 18, 2025 ryansheehanrts

Agri-PV is neither an appendage of the PV industry nor a marginal topic of agriculture, but rather a hybrid and at the same time new form of industry that integrates both and aligns them towards a common goal: sustainable, resilient production with double added value.

Agri-PV: not a new option for circumventing laws

A common misconception – including among authorities – is that Agri-PV is a pretext for legitimising PV projects on agricultural land. To clearly contradict this impression, consistent communication and positioning is required: the agronomic concept is at the centre of every project. The PV component is a financing support structure and a solution to make agriculture more sustainable and resilient, not an end in itself.

Maximising the benefits of agri-PV

New project approach: planning starts with agriculture

In future, CCE will pursue a strategic change of perspective: projects will begin with a clear agronomic objective – such as the cultivation of olives to produce high-quality organic oils – and only then will PV be integrated. The PV system adapts to the conditions of the agricultural project, not the other way around.

CCE

Our guest author Sandro Esposito.

As in the project in Santa Lucia (Lazio region), for example: Here, an existing PV project was converted into an Agri-PV model, producing high-quality olives. The PV system secures financing and allows a more sustainable and efficient crop management, while agricultural production focuses on quality rather than quantity. The first marketable results are expected from 2026.

Marius Sinn of Next2Sun: “We achieve additional yields of up to ten percent”

Structural implementation: new companies with an agronomic focus

CCE Italia will establish a separate company in 2025 that is fully dedicated to the development and realisation of Agri-PV projects. This is not just about electricity production, but also about agricultural product lines with high market quality. Each project company will have its own structure with agricultural management, monitoring systems and an expanded business model: in addition to selling energy, the agricultural products will also be marketed.

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Use of technology: precision and control

The projects rely on the most advanced technologies: sensor technology for yield and quality monitoring, precision farming, software-supported control of water consumption, complete measurement of the carbon footprint, and resource efficiency. The aim is a fully documented and certified production process.

Scaling and market integration

The Agri-PV concept will be rolled out across Europe in the coming years. CCE’s membership of the Italian Association for Sustainable Agrivoltaics (AIAS) ensures a connection to key stakeholders – both on the agricultural side and in the energy sector – and gives us the opportunity to shape a new perspective and foster a paradigm change in the discussion about Agri-PV. A new job title has already been created within AIAS: agrivoltore – an agricultural entrepreneur who is also an energy producer.

How Agri-PV supports regenerative and sustainable agriculture

Outlook: Quality instead of quantity, resilience instead of volume

Agri-PV offers the opportunity to produce agricultural products with high added value and measurable environmental benefits – using clean energy and intelligent control. The results are products with a guaranteed origin, demonstrably resource-efficient production and high quality. Agri-PV therefore not only offers a new economic perspective for agriculture but also makes a concrete contribution to ecological transformation. (Sandro Esposito/hcn)

More information about CCE

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Solar Energy

Maximising the benefits of agri-PV

June 6, 2025 ryansheehanrts

Europe’s worst drought in decades hit farmers hard this summer, with parched fields, dried-up rivers and empty wells a common sight. As dry winters and scorching summers become the norm, heatwaves and water shortages are no longer the exception. Meanwhile, the energy crisis is prompting rollbacks in climate protection rather than progress.

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Yet there is great potential in climate protection if synergies are harnessed. A particularly striking example is agriphotovoltaics (agri-PV), namely the installation of photovoltaic systems on agricultural land. With the amendment of the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), Germany has also created the conditions for expanding agri-PV systems and remunerating the yields. Meanwhile, word has spread in other countries that dual land use accelerates the energy transition.

Two systems developed

This shift in thinking is urgently needed, as it allows more land to be used for the further expansion of photovoltaics. The dual use of agricultural land is a key factor in enabling Germany to reach its target of quadrupling solar installations to 215 gigawatts by 2030 – in just seven years.

A major advantage of decentralised agri-PV systems is that their electricity yield is often used locally to a considerable extent, and grid connection usually requires less expansion of the power grid than with other ground-mounted systems. Currently, two types of systems are mainly in use: elevated systems with semi-transparent modules and vertically mounted systems with bifacial modules.

Agri-PV in viticulture – DLR installs test installation

The use of horizontally elevated semi-transparent modules offers protection against increasingly frequent extreme weather events such as hail, heavy rain, frost, and excessive UV radiation. The need for crop protection products can be reduced by up to 80 percent. A direct irrigation system, easy to integrate, supplies plants with the moisture they need during dry periods.

Protective canopy for plants

When constructing the systems, it is important to flexibly compensate for varying terrain conditions such as slopes, bumps and inclines. The structural design of the frames must also withstand considerable snow and wind loads.

How Agri-PV supports regenerative and sustainable agriculture

Such systems are built in rows with varying rack widths and distances between rows. Both are largely determined by the type of crop and cultivation method. Agriculture determines system sizes: in existing orchards, compromises are necessary, while new plantations can be optimised for both crop and energy yield.

Yield proportional to spacing

To this end, many agricultural experimental stations around the world are currently operating test facilities. Height is determined by the growth height of the plants. Above roughly four metres, structural loads – and thus costs – rise sharply.

The row spacing determines the possible installation of solar modules on the land. Find out how much solar power can fit on one hectare of land if the rows are very close to each other in the full report available in our special on agri-PV. Our expert from Gridparity also explains what yields you can expect. You can download the free special here free of charge. (su)

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Solar Energy

Study links solar parks with richer rural ecosystems

May 30, 2025 ryansheehanrts

When solar panels are installed on land formerly used for intensive agriculture, biodiversity rebounds quickly. This is the finding of a study by conservation expert Tim Peschel and biologist Rolf Peschel, conducted on behalf of the German Association of Energy Market Innovators (Bundesverband Neue Energiewirtschaft, BNE).

To this end, the two authors, together with several specialist consultancies, examined biodiversity development in 30 solar parks across Germany and one open-field installation in Denmark. From April to September 2024, they surveyed eight species groups, including birds, amphibians, butterflies, bats, and plants.

Concentrated on agricultural land

Unlike previous studies, however, this one did not focus on land conversion areas, but specifically on former arable land. The aim was to understand how quickly these sites recover in terms of species diversity, and how this regeneration influences biodiversity across the wider cultural landscape. “After all, a great deal of biodiversity has been lost in agricultural areas in recent decades – in some cases to a dramatic extent,” says Tim Peschel.

ESG: The EU wants to be a pioneer

Flora and fauna adopt structures in solar parks

He and Rolf Peschel demonstrated that these biodiversity losses can be offset when land is removed from intensive agricultural use and left largely undisturbed beneath solar installations. “In contrast to agricultural landscapes, solar parks have a variety of structures such as paths, wet areas and shady pools under the modules,” explains Tim Peschel. “So even when everything is dry all around, we can still find flowering plants in shady areas. These provide the basis for insects to settle. These insects, in turn, are the food source for birds, bats and amphibians. In this way, the areas can develop biodiversity.” Solar parks thus become islands of biodiversity within intensively used agricultural regions.

Agri-PV: “Dual use with animal husbandry has great potential”

385 plant species counted

During their research, the authors identified 385 plant species within the solar park sites that were no longer present in the surrounding agricultural land. Among them were very rare species that have now begun to reproduce again. Rolf Peschel notes that the number and type of plant species vary significantly depending on the region. “We examined one of the solar parks several times over several years,” he explains. “That site had twice as many plant species as the next most diverse park. The more often we survey the areas, the more species we find. This shows that the development of biodiversity is still in full swing and far from complete. We know that there are more and more species.”

Source habitat for dragonfly species

The same applies to the animal species observed in the study. Among others, the researchers documented 13 of the 79 dragonfly species native to Germany. One of these is currently classified as endangered, yet in one of the solar parks, it is now establishing a strong population. This particular site can therefore be considered a source habitat, from which the species may begin to repopulate other previously uninhabited areas.

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Many insects, grasshoppers and birds sighted

In addition, the researchers documented 37 percent of Germany’s native grasshopper species and 17 percent of its butterfly species within the solar parks. The findings on amphibians were also notable: one third of the country’s native species were observed. Numerous reptiles, including various lizard species, were also present. What makes these results particularly striking is that the solar parks often exist in isolation – disconnected from larger surrounding habitats.

Denmark: Agreement for nature-friendly renewable projects

The authors of the study also recorded 32 different bird species in the solar parks. Among them were endangered species such as the skylark, which appeared in three quarters of the solar sites surveyed. In one of the parks, they even found a breeding population of the endangered wheatear.

Species colonise the solar parks immediately

The authors also detected bats within the solar parks, many of them belonging to endangered species. “Until now, project planners have been required to implement compensatory measures based on the assumption that birds and bats do not inhabit solar installations,” says Rolf Peschel. “But with proper management, the opposite is true. These animals are so desperate for habitat that they settle in the parks almost immediately – sometimes even during construction. Whether there’s machinery or someone installing modules, it hardly deters them.” (su/hcn)

You can ownload the study here (German-language)

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Solar Energy

How farmers use solar electricity without own investment

May 23, 2025 ryansheehanrts

Barns, stables, warehouses or machine sheds – many farms have large, partly unused roof areas. In the course of the solar obligation, which already applies in some German federal states and is being discussed in others, new agricultural buildings and roof renovations must also be equipped with solar systems in the future. However, many farmers have already installed photovoltaic systems – regardless of the solar obligation.

When installing a PV system, many farmers are faced with the question of energy marketing – and refinancing the investment costs. Even minor deviations in the implementation can mean partly different legal framework conditions. In addition to the classic surplus feed-in, so-called Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) can also be considered for local energy marketing.

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Operator models for energy marketing

Basically, PPAs are long-term electricity supply contracts that plant operators conclude with electricity traders or directly with buyers. There are different forms. With on-site PPAs, electricity is supplied directly on site. The system operator only provides the solar electricity generated to one customer within a grid interconnection point. As a rule, the system operator is not responsible for the remaining electricity supply. He also does not take over the full supply of electricity to any tenant.

How Agri-PV supports regenerative and sustainable agriculture

Special case of the PPA

This model is particularly suitable if there are so-called anchor tenants with very high consumption. These are tenants in a property who exert a great attraction on customers or other tenants. This model is also suitable for tenants who are not interested in a full electricity supply due to existing framework electricity contracts. Tenant electricity in the commercial sector is a special case of the on-site PPA.

EU Farming Strategy emphasises the role of solar

This is because here the residual electricity is also procured by the system operator and sold on to the tenants. In principle, the model is similar to the subsidised tenant electricity in the housing industry, but due to the simultaneity of production and consumption in the agricultural sector, it is much more attractive.

Electricity contracts with customers

Off-site PPAs, or classic PPAs, are electricity supply contracts with customers outside the household connection of the generation plant. They require intensive preparation and generate high initialisation costs. Plant operators can either conclude an electricity supply contract with the companies to be supplied or with an electricity trader who resells the electricity to the consumers.

Udo Geisel from Wagner Solar: “We cover high wind loads”

Since the sale of solar electricity is a taxable activity, this can be a considerable expense. Also, some legal framework conditions have to be observed. Therefore, an alternative for owners of agricultural buildings is to lease the roof areas, for example, to a photovoltaic plant operating company or municipal utilities that offer tenants electricity.

How this tenant electricity model can be realized in detail, you can read in the full article available in our special on PV for farmers. You can download the special here free of charge. (su)

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Solar Energy

How Agri-PV supports regenerative and sustainable agriculture

May 21, 2025 ryansheehanrts

The dual use of arable land for food and solar power production not only provides farmers with greater sustainability, but also with substantial profits. Analysts from Boston Consulting and agri-PV experts from Baywa r.e. have looked at how this dual use can support farms in their transition to renewable agriculture.

Agri-PV finances the transition

The result: Photovoltaics can play a key role in supporting the shift toward more sustainable land use. In particular, financing this transition becomes more feasible when combined with PV. The analysts examined three different farm sizes to assess the financial benefits of integrating sustainable agriculture with solar power.

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Farmers benefit in the long run

The figures speak for themselves. A medium-sized farm can generate additional annual profits of between 55,000 and 75,000 euros in the long term with so-called regenerative agriculture. It even has an impact on small farms. Analysts forecast additional profits of between 15,000 and 17,000 euros in the long term. These benefits will be somewhat lower in the first few years – not least due to the necessary investments. These additional profits increase all the more in the following years. Agri-PV in particular can provide farmers with financial support when transitioning.

PV from field and barn: Our special for the dual harvest on farms

Three different farms analysed

In the study, the authors initially describe what agri-PV is and the advantages of solar systems for agricultural land. In the second part, they describe the cash flows in the phase of transition to regenerative agriculture. They looked at three different farms in Germany as examples. On the one hand, there is the small farm with 25 hectares of arable land and 25 hectares of grassland. A medium-sized farm with 200 hectares of arable land and 100 hectares of grassland was included in the analysis. There is also a large arable farm with 1,000 hectares of land.

How to combine agri-PV with wind power and storage?

Business models analysed

These three different farms have different business models for utilising solar power. For example, self-consumption is possible for all farms, although this only makes sense for a smaller farm without a partner. The use of the feed-in tariffs or market bonuses is also possible for all farm sizes, while the direct power purchase agreement (PPA) is particularly interesting for large agricultural enterprises.

You can find the complete study on the Boston Consulting Group website. (su)

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Solar Energy

Water management benefits of agri-PV systems confirmed

May 16, 2025 ryansheehanrts

The annual drought is no longer just a problem for farmers in Southern Europe. Across Central Europe, too, growers are struggling with too little water, or rain arriving at the wrong time. This year brought a relatively normal summer, yet many farmers in Germany still saw their harvests ruined. Sunshine and dry conditions dominated spring and early summer, while heavy rainfall hit during harvest season.

More water under the modules?

Agri-PV systems are said to offer protection against such uncertainties, with the promise that solar modules help regulate the soil’s water balance. But do they actually deliver on that claim? Initial findings from a study led by Ulrike Feistel, Professor of Engineering Hydrology at Dresden University of Applied Sciences, and hydrologist Stefan Werisch from the Brandis Lysimeter Station, suggest they can. With support from energy supplier EnBW, the team measured changes in soil moisture beneath several solar parks in Saxony and Brandenburg, including an agri-PV system in Pillnitz near Dresden.

The researchers hypothesised that soil beneath solar modules would see greater water recharge compared to uncovered ground. In areas of the solar park without panels, the balance between rainfall and evaporation remains similar to that of open land. Under the modules, however, evaporation is reduced – allowing more moisture to remain in the soil.

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On the other hand, rainwater reaches only the ground on the eaves side of the modules, as it flows down the panels and off the lower edge. In a narrow strip behind each row, the same amount of precipitation is received as on uncovered land. But because these areas are shaded from the southern sun, evaporation is reduced, helping to retain more moisture in the soil.

Soil moisture determined

That was the theory – but does it hold up in practice? To find out, the team led by Ulrike Feistel and Stefan Werisch measured soil moisture at a depth of ten centimetres beneath solar parks in Boxberg, Pillnitz and Weesow, comparing the results with nearby reference plots. The findings were clear: while moisture levels in the reference areas rose quickly after rainfall, they also dropped off rapidly. Under the solar modules, by contrast, soil moisture remained more stable. In Boxberg, for example, the reference plot showed a daily moisture loss of 0.99 to 1.88 percent, whereas the ground beneath the modules lost only 0.57 to 1.39 percent per day. This effect was especially pronounced during periods of several dry days in a row.

More water in dry periods

A similar pattern was observed in Pillnitz beneath the elevated agri-PV system. Although less rainfall reached the soil directly under the modules, moisture levels still declined more slowly during dry spells. In April 2020, soil moisture under the system dropped by just 0.35 percent per day, compared to 0.69 percent per day in the reference area.

New study highlights potential of UK agri-PV

In Weesow, measurements were taken in late October and early November 2021. Once again, less water reached the soil directly beneath the modules during rainy days – but evaporation was also significantly lower. Under the solar system, soil moisture decreased by just 0.02 percent per day, compared to 0.27 percent on the reference area.

While the study did not yet assess how reduced evaporation and shading affect crop yields – particularly near the drip edges of the modules – it clearly shows that both photovoltaic and agri-PV systems significantly influence soil moisture. According to the researchers, lower evaporation combined with increased water retention during dry periods could help stabilise the water balance across the entire site.

Researchers at the University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei, Anhui Province, also examined how agri-PV systems affect water evaporation. They set up water basins beneath two different agri-PV configurations, with a third basin placed on an open reference area. Over an extended period, they measured and compared evaporation rates across all three setups. One of the agri-PV systems featured an open design that allowed significant rainfall to reach the ground, while the second was a standard agri-PV system with semi-transparent modules spanning the area.

You can read the results of the research project in China and the complete report in the special on photovoltaics for farmers.
Download the special report here, free of charge. (su)

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Solar Energy

“Modularity enables adaptability in different terrains”

May 2, 2025 ryansheehanrts

Solargik has developed a very slim system for agri-PV and difficult areas. How is the system constructed?

Gil Kroyzer: Solargik’s systems are designed with the shortest tracker table on the market that ranges in length from 8 to 24 panels. This modularity enables adaptability across different terrains, including sloped or irregular landscapes or dual-use projects. The structure incorporates tilted bearings, vertical pylons, and enhanced wind load protection to ensure stability and optimal performance in various environmental conditions.

In which scope is the height of the system adjustable?

The height of Solargik’s systems is variable depending on project requirements, such as agricultural activities beneath the panels or terrain constraints. For agrivoltaic projects, for instance, the height is adjusted to allow sufficient space for crops and agricultural machinery, supporting dual-use applications. Solargik has installed trackers at heights up to 5 meters.

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How is the mounting structure anchored?

Solargik’s mounting structures are anchored using vertical pylons designed for stability, even on challenging terrains. These pylons, paired with additional cabling for reinforcement, withstand multi-directional wind loads and slope stresses, eliminating the need for extensive grading or cut-and-fill earthwork. In agrivoltaics the foundations are often adapted to the constraints of the specific agricultural use.

What is the distance between the mounting posts to enable the farmers to use the land for working with agricultural machinery?

The distance between mounting posts is customised based on the type of agricultural machinery and crop being used. For example, in one of our projects in the Jordan Valley agrivoltaic project, the spacing supports access for farming equipment while ensuring efficient energy production and crop growth.

PV from field and barn: Our special for the dual harvest on farms

The high elevation of the systems appears to be suitable for vineyards and greenhouses. Are there also options for arable farming?

Our solutions are adaptable to a wide range of agricultural uses, including vineyards, greenhouses and arable farming. The modular design and tracking algorithms are tailored to balance light requirements for crops and energy generation, making it suitable for diverse applications. We have projects globally over tomatoes, lychee, avocado, grape vineyards, berries, and more.

The solar modules shade the area below. How much light can reach the plants with your system?

Solargik’s systems are designed with an optimal ground coverage ratio (GCR) of around 50 percent, allowing adequate sunlight to reach the plants below. The tracking algorithms adjust the tilt and orientation of the panels to maximise light for crops while optimising solar output.

Fraunhofer ISE: Lightweight modules developed for agrivoltaic systems

What plants do well in these conditions?

Solargik has experience with various crops, including grapes, mangoes and lychees, as demonstrated in the above-mentioned Jordan Valley project. These crops thrive under conditions where partial shading reduces heat stress and conserves water, enhancing agricultural yields.

Does the system include a way to collect rainwater and store it for watering?

While the primary focus of Solargik’s systems is on energy generation, projects could incorporate complementary rainwater collection systems to support agricultural irrigation. This is typically determined by project-specific requirements and local conditions.

New study highlights potential of UK agri-PV

Which modules do you use in your projects?

We are partners with leading PV module manufacturers to accommodate high-efficiency modules tailored to project needs. Solargik accommodates any type of module as per the requirements of the development partners we work with. Bifacial modules are often used in agrivoltaic setups to capture additional light reflected from the ground, increasing energy yield.

How are the trackers moved? Is it each row individually or is there a central motor that moves numerous rows?

Our trackers are designed to move each row individually. This row-level control maximises flexibility and ensures that trackers can adapt to the specific conditions of each section of the project site, especially on irregular terrains.

How are the systems planned and controlled to maximise both the yield from the land and of PV?

Solargik utilises advanced tracking algorithms and 3D modelling to harmonize agricultural and PV yields. By dynamically adjusting panel orientation based on solar and agricultural needs, the system ensures an optimal balance between crop growth and energy generation. For that, the trackers are controlled using advanced algorithms that incorporate real-time data from sensors. These sensors align the panels with the brightest point in the sky while considering factors like shading, terrain, and weather conditions to optimise performance. What makes Solargik’s approach unique is SOMA, our SCADA offering.

Agri-PV: “Dual use with animal husbandry has great potential”

What is so special about this approach?

This is an intelligent software solution that encompasses both tracker control and full site management. Unlike conventional tracking systems that operate based solely on pre-set movement patterns or light sensors, SOMA dynamically adjusts in response to site-specific conditions. This enables agronomists and farm operators to make precise, real-time decisions about shading adjustments and microclimate control, directly impacting crop yield. This holistic site management approach sets Solargik apart in the agrivoltaics space, enabling farmers and developers to fully maximise land use efficiency while ensuring long-term sustainability.

Interview by Sven Ullich.

Solargik will present its tracker system at The smarter E Europe at booth FN100/34 in the outdoor area of the trade fair next to hall C4 at the north entrance.

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Solar Energy

Lightweight modules developed for agrivoltaic systems

April 22, 2025 ryansheehanrts

Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) together with VOEN Vöhringer, a supplier of weather protection systems for agriculture, have developed lightweight photovoltaic modules. Farmers can integrate them directly onto structures for their hail protection nets installed as weather protection for special crops such as fruit trees or berry bushes. Conventional modules are unsuitable for this, due to the limited load-bearing capacity of these structures. They are far too heavy to be mounted on the steel systems erected for hail protection nets. This would require a separate substructure.

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First demonstration system built

The two project partners are currently trialling their new development on a cherry orchard in the south of Germany. The demonstration unit covers two rows of cherry trees with a length of around 40 metres. For this, they use the existing substructures that were originally erected for the protection nets and foils. The installers attached the modules with its weight of less than five kilograms, to these. The project team monitors the electricity yield of the system and the harvest yield of the cherry trees throughout the year and analyses the data at the end of 2025.

PV from field and barn: Our special for the dual harvest on farms

Solutions developed for installation

With the modules, it is possible to install 420 kilowatts per hectare. ‘The new concept addresses two factors that make agri-PV systems more expensive than ground-mounted photovoltaics: the higher costs for constructing the mounting structure and for installing the solar modules,” explains Felix Basler, project manager at Fraunhofer ISE. ‘In addition to developing the low-cost lightweight modules, we have designed and tested various solutions for the simple installation of the modules on traditional weather protection systems in special crop cultivation.”

Agri-PV concept tailored to agriculture

The solution is perfect in particular for retrofitting existing protection systems. “Installation is extremely simple as a new build or retrofit solution,” says Leo Vöhringer, project manager at VOEN. “It was important to us to adapt an agri-PV concept to the practice of fruit growing and not the other way round. The established crop protection against the weather and other damaging influences remains in place with our concept.”

Study highlights potential of UK agri-PV

Wrapping up foils and hail protection nets

The system developed by the two project partners has an additional advantage. At times of the year when the original weather protection is not needed, the farmer can wrap it beneath the solar modules and stow it away. This improves the microclimate under the protective structure, since the field is not covered completely anymore. Air can circulate better. At the same time, the modules provide slight shading and thus protect the crops from excessive sunlight. (su)

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Solar Energy

From niche to necessity – the PV-boom in Central and Eastern Europe

April 15, 2025 ryansheehanrts

Early development with political support

Between 2010 and 2015, some Central and Eastern European countries saw their first waves of solar expansion, largely due to government support programmes. Countries like the Czech Republic and Bulgaria introduced attractive feed-in tariffs, sparking a PV boom, though this subsided once the subsidies ended. In Poland, expansion was initially modest due to a lack of national support programmes and the dominance of coal in the energy market. In the Western Balkans and Ukraine, the solar sector also began to take shape, mainly through large-scale projects or pilot plants.

Also interesting: Stellantis decarbonises polish plants with solar power and storage

Greater momentum from 2016 after EU integration and lower costs

Starting in 2016, falling module prices, growing environmental awareness and stronger integration with the EU triggered new momentum across many Central and Eastern European countries. Poland became one of the fastest-growing PV markets in Europe, bolstered by the subsidy programme “Mój Prąd” (“My Electricity”), which helped households build solar installations. Hungary and Romania increased investments in solar parks, while Slovakia and Croatia developed a decentralised market with small to mid-sized installations. Even non-EU countries including Ukraine advanced their solar expansion, sometimes assisted by foreign investment.

Also interesting: Grzegorz Rabsztyn: “The EIB is playing a key role in supporting renewables and grid development”

PV key to energy plans in many countries

In 2025, photovoltaics are by now well-established across most countries in the region. Poland leads with over 20 gigawatts of installed PV capacity by the end of 2024, followed by Romania, Hungary and the Czech Republic. Large-scale systems are increasingly being developed in Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania, often in partnership with Western or Chinese investors. The PV boom is driven by not only lower costs for technical components and EU support measures, but also the desire for greater energy sovereignty in response to the energy crises of 2022 and 2023. Decentralised energy systems have proven more resilient than centralised equivalents in crisis situations. In addition, increasing pressure from the EU to phase out fossil fuels is accelerating the push for decarbonisation.

Also interesting: PV wholesaler SegenSolar joins growing wave of companies entering Eastern European markets

Energy future with expansion potential and challenges

The future is promising for photovoltaics in Central and Eastern Europe. There is significant potential in terms of available land, high solar radiation, in particular in the south, and technological advances such as agri-PV and energy storage solutions, all of which offer opportunities for regional energy supply. Nevertheless, challenges remain: bureaucratic hurdles, unclear permitting processes and partially outdated power grids are slowing expansion, and there is a particular need to modernise the electricity grids to reliably integrate decentralised PV systems.

Market gaining momentum

Over the past fifteen years, photovoltaics in Central and Eastern Europe have developed from a marginal phenomenon into a key technology. Despite regional differences, the trend is clear: solar energy will play a major role in the region’s future climate-neutral and independent energy supply. In the end, photovoltaics offer not only tremendous ecological benefits but also substantial economic potential – both for the PV industry and for consumers. (mg)

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