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Solar Energy

Mosolf planning vast solar carport for sustainable vehicle storage

May 12, 2025 ryansheehanrts

The Swiss solar project developer and energy provider Axpo has been tasked by Mosolf to construct a large-scale solar carport in Kippenheim, southern Germany. Specialising in automotive logistics, Mosolf is dedicated to transporting new vehicles from production sites or European ports to car dealerships and commercial customers.

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Mosolf operates a large depot in Kippenheim, where new vehicles are stored before being transported to dealers or customers. In the future, these vehicles will be protected from unpredictable weather conditions under a modern solar installation covering the entire 109,000 square meter car park.

Weatherproof parking lot

Starting at the end of 2026, 54,000 solar modules will shield vehicles from hail, rain, snow, frost and intense sunlight, reducing Mosolf’s weather-related follow-up costs. This initiative will also enhance the working conditions for employees, providing a more stable and safe environment.

Gridparity develops solar roof for green car parks

Almost 27 gigawatt hours of solar power from the car park

The solar canopy, with a capacity of 24 megawatts, will generate over 26,700 megawatt-hours of solar energy annually, as calculated by the project planners. This marks the largest solar canopy for a car park in Europe to date. “With the project in Kippenheim, we are not only creating a forward-looking synergy between energy generation and land use, but also taking another important step towards our company-wide decarbonisation strategy,” says Gregor Tjaden, Head of Renewable Energies at the Mosolf Group. “Photovoltaic solutions such as this make a tangible contribution to reducing CO₂ emissions and strengthening our energy independence.”

Power fed into the grid

However, Mosolf’s current electricity demand is still too low to fully utilise all the solar energy produced on-site. While it remains uncertain if this will change with the potential use of battery-powered lorries, for now, 85 percent of the electricity generated will be fed into the grid. Only three megawatts of the entire power plant’s output are designated for Mosolf’s own consumption.

Sweden: 100 new charging points for Stockholm community

Part of the sustainability strategy

The Mosolf Group is advancing its sustainability objectives with the latest project. Committed to promoting renewable energy, the Group is making focused investments in more sustainable infrastructure. Recently, several solar canopies for car parks have been constructed at Mosolf’s distribution centres, including locations in Rackwitz, Saxony, and Vatry, France, east of Paris. The new facility in Kippenheim marks another key milestone in the company’s ongoing sustainability journey. (su)

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Solar Energy

Mosolf installs massive solar carport for sustainable vehicle storage

May 12, 2025 ryansheehanrts

The Swiss solar project developer and energy provider Axpo has been commissioned by Mosolf to erect a huge solar carport in Kippenheim in southern Germany. Mosolf specialises in logistics in the automotive industry. The company focuses on transporting new vehicles from the production site or from European harbours to car dealers and commercial end customers.

Don’t miss any important information about your investment in solar energy! Just subscribe to our free newsletter.

To this end, the company operates a huge depot in Kippenheim. There, Mosolf parks the vehicles until being transported to the dealer or customer. In the future, these new vehicles will be well protected against any capricious weather conditions in the 109,000 square meter car park. This is because a modern solar installation will cover the complete area.

Weatherproof parking lot

From the end of 2026, a total of 54,000 solar modules will protect the vehicles from hail, rain, snow, frost and extreme sunlight. This will reduce Mosolf’s weather-related follow-up costs. It will also significantly improve the working conditions of the employees.

Gridparity develops solar roof for green car parks

Almost 27 gigawatt hours of solar power from the car park

At the same time, the solar canopy with an output of 24 megawatts will produce more than 26,700 megawatt hours of solar power every year, as the project planners calculated. According to the project partners, this is the largest solar canopy for a car park in Europe to date. “With the project in Kippenheim, we are not only creating a forward-looking synergy between energy generation and land use, but also taking another important step towards our company-wide decarbonisation strategy,” explains Gregor Tjaden, Head of Renewable Energies at the Mosolf Group. “Photovoltaic solutions such as this make a tangible contribution to reducing CO₂ emissions and strengthening our energy independence.”

Power is fed into the grid

However, Mosolf’s electricity requirements are currently still too low to consume all of the solar energy on site. It is not clear yet whether this might change at some point due to the use of battery-powered lorries. But until then, 85 per cent of the electricity produced will flow into the grid. Just three megawatts of the whole power plant are intended for Mosolf’s self-consumption.

Sweden: 100 new charging points for Stockholm community

Part of the sustainability strategy

The Mosolf Group is continuing to pursue its sustainability goals with the new project. According to the company, the Group is committed to the promotion of renewable energies and is making targeted investments in more sustainable infrastructure. Recently, several solar canopies for car parks have already been built at Mosolf’s distribution centres – including in the town of Rackwitz in the German state of Saxony and in the French town of Vatry, east of Paris. The new facility in Kippenheim is another milestone on the company’s path to sustainability. (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

“We cover high wind loads”

April 7, 2025 ryansheehanrts

Wagner Solar has now developed a new agri-PV system. Have you worked in the area of agriculture before?

Udo Geisel: Up to now we have predominantly built solar parks for farmers with conventional ground-mounted systems. These are east and west-facing systems with the typical ground-mounted arrays of 40 to 100 modules in numerous rows. We also build elevated systems with a height of 2.10 metres.

Highly elevated facilities are more expensive than conventional solar parks. What is the impact for farmers?

There are at least three classes of agri-photovoltaics or ground-mounted systems: the vertically elevated systems such as our new PV fence, the systems with a high elevation and, of course, the classic ground-mounted systems. In terms of cost, the fence is very good as it is a relatively simple construction. In terms of costs per installed kilowatt, we are currently at about the same level for the typical ground-mounted systems. Depending on the project and conditions, it’s around 50 to 80 euros per kilowatt for the material costs for the mounting structure. The ground-mounted tables with a raised elevation of 2.10 metres are somewhat more expensive. However, these additional costs are manageable. They are roughly ten to 20 per cent higher than the costs for a conventional ground-mounted system. This is because these systems are exposed to higher wind loads and have a less favourable design.

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You mentioned at least three different types of installation. What other types are there?

The next class encompasses systems with a height above 2.10 metres. This is agri-photovoltaics, comprising elevations with a height of four metres, which allows farmers to work with large machines. From a surface area perspective, this option is not notably more cost-effective than a greenhouse. In this case, other requirements have to be fulfilled. In terms of surface area, this is certainly not significantly cheaper than a greenhouse.

How long have you offered the vertical solution?

We developed it last year so this is brand new for us. There have been various designs over the last few years. The version we’re presenting today is relatively new – we started the first project of this kind in December 2024.

RWE to develop two large agri-PV plants in Italy

There are already similar systems on the market. What is different about your solution?

For one thing, we made a point of moving away from the usual cassette system. This means that we have transverse mounting rails between the ram posts in which the modules are positioned. Vertically, the installers are given more space to adjust the modules. These continuous insertion rails reduce the precision required for ramming the posts. These no longer have to be positioned exactly. We also improve the error tolerance by using relatively short ramming profiles and extending them with an aluminium post. As a result, the installer can additionally align the piling posts and aluminium posts while bolting them into place, level the height and also vary the sides a little. This speeds up the pile-driving process and significantly reduces installation costs.

The modules do not fill the entire length of the insertion rails, however. What do you achieve with this?

Thanks to this window design, we can stick with aluminium as the construction material and don’t have to install heavy steel. This is because we significantly reduce the wind loads. These gaps also reduce the amount of shading on the system itself.

How does it work?

These gaps are always planned precisely where the post on the south side would shade the module. This reduces the shading at noon and increases the yields.

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

Does this mean that more area is required for the same output?

Yes, but this solution reduces the overall system costs, as this kind of substructure has static advantages due to lower loads. However, we can also dispense with these windows if required. If the farmer wants to install as much power as possible per hectare, they will opt for relatively short fence distances and place the posts quite close together. That’s not a problem. In such cases, we check the statics on a case-by-case basis, as we do for every project. Something like this can be realised without any problems. In terms of the dimensioning of the components, the systems with the windows are designed for the installation of large modules in regions with the highest load requirements. Most systems are not installed directly on the coast or five kilometres away, where wind loads are extremely high. In regions such as wind zone 2, we can definitely do without the windows.

So you simply install shorter mounting rails and thus make the windows smaller?

Yes, in this case the posts are simply rammed closer together and correspond approximately to the required module spacing. The mounting rails are continuous and can thus be varied. This also gives farmers a little more output per hectare.

Do the thermal expansions within the system have to be taken into account as a result of these continuous insertion rails?

Thermal expansion must always be taken into account in photovoltaics. This also applies to roof systems and even more so on flat roofs than on pitched roofs, because no flat roof has an inclination of zero degrees. In this case, the so-called caterpillar effect can occur due to thermal motion, which can cause the system to shift toward the roof edge. We are only talking about three to four centimetres of thermal expansion over a 20 metre long rail. But this can be dangerous. For this reason, the craftsmen insert expansion joints within the system to avoid these temperature stresses. This length compensation is also provided for in the agri-PV fence. Although the rails run between the driven posts, a rail connector including an expansion joint is integrated at a maximum distance of twelve metres. These expansion joints, which we install continuously, provide length compensation.

What ground unevenness and slopes can you compensate for with the system?

In principle, we can cover all slopes created by the caterpillar used to drive the posts. In this case, the system would then be constructed in a stepped or terraced layout.

So you simply build smaller units?

The system then always consists of units of two modules on top of each other. If I am working against a slope in the terrain, the next pair of modules will be placed correspondingly higher to compensate for this height difference. In places where the lower pair of modules has to be connected to the pair above, the installer uses longer posts. This works without any issues.

Interview by Sven Ullrich

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Solar Energy

Protecting solar plants in extreme weather

April 3, 2025 ryansheehanrts

Heavy rain, snow and wind are placing growing demands on the design of ground-mounted solar power plants. A key factor in avoiding weather-related damage is careful ground analysis. “The ground is usually the weakest link in the chain,” says Cedrik Zapfe, CTO of mounting system manufacturer Schletter. “Rammed piles in particular are exposed to enormous shearing forces and load changes under high wind load, and can loosen as a result – especially when the soil is saturated with water after heavy rainfall, for example.” A geological soil analysis, he emphasises, is essential when deciding on the type of foundation, the necessary pile-driving depth and the number of supports.

Dont miss! Webinar on 14th April 2025: Simple solutions for complex PV projects – with K2 Systems

The loosening of the soil due to the installation of the solar system should also be taken into account. “Nobody can stabilise the soil better than nature,” says Cedrik Zapfe. “Soil that has not been tilled is fully consolidated. The more the soil is tilled, the looser it is and the higher the risk of rainwater or wind damaging the system.”

Do not improvise

If the ground analysis shows that the soil is too soft for foundations using driven piles, an alternative is to use screw anchors set in concrete. However, this adds cost – and in many cases, concrete foundations are not permitted.

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Stability is increased above all by a maximally professional installation. “Even the best planning and design won’t help if mistakes are made during installation,” emphasises Zapfe. “Especially where you can’t see it, improvisation is often used in practice. For example, driven foundations are simply shortened when they encounter obstacles in the ground. “For this reason, he advises close monitoring of the construction site. Responsive after-sales support on the side of the installation system manufacturer can also help minimise risks.

Slight subsidence

Regular maintenance can also reduce the risk of serious damage. For example, improper installation or mowing work often leads to minor mechanical damage to the galvanisation. Zapfe: “If these remain undetected, rust damage can occur that jeopardises long-term stability. The regular electrical inspection should therefore always include the substructure.”

Schletter Group extends logistics and production

This also serves to highlight any changes in the substructure. “Smaller subsidence of up to five centimetres does not pose a risk to the stability of the substructure. This is because most mounting systems have adjustment options, so this subsidence can be levelled out again,” says Zapfe.

Increasing stability

If it becomes clear that posts are beginning to sink or if this has already occurred, the system operator has to respond in a timely fashion, as pile-driving posts will require reinforcement. “In such cases, it would be possible to subsequently cast a concrete ring, a so-called elephant foot, around the mounting posts or to attach a steel plate, which also increases the bearing base,” says Cedrik Zapfe, describing the procedure. “The stability is then increased by the combination of skin friction of the driven post and base resistance due to the soil pressure of the elephant foot.”

Mounting posts loosened by higher wind forces can be tackled through the installation of an additional anchor, as well as by bracing the rears of module table rows with a steel cable.

IBC Solar: An all-rounder mounting system for pitched roofs

Rain is less of a factor in roof systems when it comes to the risks posed by increasing extreme weather situations. Provided that the system is built in accordance with applicable standards, there are sufficient drainage options for rainwater to make its way off the roof.

Find out in the next part of our series how extreme weather events are placing increasing demands on planners and operators of roof installations. In the first part of the series, read about the causes of sinking mounting posts. (su)

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Solar Energy

Safety in the face of increasing loads

February 24, 2025 ryansheehanrts

At the beginning of 2025, violent storms swept across Western Europe. It was not the first such event recently. Does this increase the demands on the stability of solar roof installations?

After all, wind and snow – unlike with ground-mounted systems – is the big challenge. „In terms of wind loads, this does not mean that the average wind speeds are increasing. It’s more about the frequency of events such as thunderstorms. These are usually unpredictable,“ says Cedrik Zapfe, CTO of the Schletter Group, a manufacturer of mounting systems.

He also refers to the increase in powerful winds such as tornadoes in recent years. „Including a tornado in the planning is neither possible nor sensible,“ he says. „Because if you wanted to implement a tornado design, the substructures would be incredibly heavy and massive, making it economically unfeasible – apart from the fact that the roofs would reach their limits rapidly with their residual load-bearing capacity. In such cases, you have to accept the residual risk.“

A turbulent wind

A tornado not only causes increased load but also presents entirely different forces to normal wind. Normally, winds pull the photovoltaic installation upwards as well as horizontally. This is countered by its own weight and ballasting. If the wind speed increases, the ballasting needs to increase disproportionately. „If the wind speed increases by ten per cent, the load affecting the system increases by 21 per cent,“ explains Cedrik Zapfe.

Compliance with applicable standards

This principle only applies to normal winds with a high harmonic proportion and few turbulences. By way of contrast, a tornado has far more turbulence, which means that wind forces act on the roof in a completely different way. It is also true that turbulence is also triggered by the under- and overflows in normal winds. However, these are much lower than those of a tornado, making planning ahead of time a seemingly impossible challenge.

Cedrik Zapfe advises that applicable static standards should always be respected. These specify the values for wind and snow loads for the static calculation of a photovoltaic system for each region. „The consequences of climate change are already factored in,“ says the Schletter expert.

While wind and snow load zones cover very large areas, the winds do not blow in the same manner across these vast expanses. As such, extra buffers have to be planned to be able to cover areas within the zones that are confronted with stronger winds. In addition, Eurocode 1, which is valid for Europe, is continuously adapted every three to five years. This affects not only photovoltaics but also the entire construction industry, which works with the same wind and snow load values.

Avoiding planning errors

The standards not only take into account the region in which the system is located, but also the surrounding area. If the building with the solar installation is located in an open landscape or on the outskirts of a town, higher wind loads are estimated than within built-up areas. „The problems are borderline cases and grey areas: In practice, it happens time and again that systems are planned and calculated in a risk class that is too low for cost reasons. In the event of damage, no insurance will pay,“ warns Cedrik Zapfe.

If systems are planned in accordance with standards, the damage will also be recognised by the insurance company. „This is because with consistent structural planning, proof has been provided that the system will last 25 years over its service life,“ emphasises Cedrik Zapfe. „If the service life is shortened, there are two main reasons: Either mistakes were made in the planning or the corrosion protection was inadequate,“ says the Schletter CTO.

Pay attention to corrosion protection

As with all steel structures, mounting systems made of steel also need to be protected against corrosion. Here, the thickness and quality of the anti-corrosion coating are particularly important factors. Special corrosivity maps exist that show how thick the coating of the components – usually a galvanised coating – must be if the system is located in a certain region.

For example, steel components must have a thicker anti-corrosion coating if the system is built in a coastal area or in a region with a lot of industry than if the generator is located in a purely residential area or an open field.

In the first part of our series, you can read about the effects of extreme weather on ground-mounted solar installations. In the second part, we will show you how you can prevent any damage. (su)

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Solar Energy

Protecting solar power plants in extreme weather conditions

February 19, 2025 ryansheehanrts

Above all, heavy rain in combination with snow and wind poses a real challenge for planners of ground-mounted solar power plants. A thorough analysis of the ground is one of the basic prerequisites for limiting the risk of damage to the plant during weather events. “This is because the ground is usually the weakest link in the chain,” explains Cedrik Zapfe, CTO of mounting system manufacturer Schletter. “Rammed piles in particular are exposed to enormous shearing forces and load changes under high wind load, and can loosen as a result. Especially if the soil is saturated with water after heavy rainfall, for example. A geological soil analysis is essential when deciding on the type of foundation, the pile-driving depth if necessary, and the number of supports,” emphasises the expert.

Don’t miss any important information about the solar energy transition! Simply subscribe to our free newsletter.

Do not improvise

If this ground analysis shows that the ground is too soft for the foundation of the solar installation using driven piles, a further option is to set it in concrete and use screw anchors. However, this also increases costs and in many cases, concrete foundations are not permitted.

Slight subsidence

Regular maintenance can also reduce the risk of serious damage. For example, improper installation or mowing work often leads to minor mechanical damage to the galvanisation. “If these remain undetected, rust damage can occur that jeopardises long-term stability. The regular electrical inspection should therefore always include the substructure,” says Cedrik Zapfe.

Schletter Group extends logistics and production

Increasing stability

If it becomes apparent that posts are beginning to sink or if this has already occurred, the system operator has to respond in a timely fashion, as pile-driving posts will require reinforcement. “In such cases, it would be possible to subsequently cast a concrete ring, a so-called elephant foot, around the mounting posts or to attach a steel plate, which also increases the bearing base,” says Cedrik Zapfe, describing the procedure. “The stability is then increased by the combination of skin friction of the driven post and base resistance due to the soil pressure of the elephant foot.”
Mounting posts loosened by higher wind forces can be tackled through the installation of an additional anchor, as well as by bracing the rears of module table rows with a steel cable.

IBC Solar: An all-rounder mounting system for pitched roofs

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Solar Energy

Protecting installations from extreme weather conditions

February 7, 2025 ryansheehanrts

For many people in southern Germany and northern Austria, the dates of December 2 and 3, 2023, will forever be etched in their memory. On these two days, huge amounts of snow fell in the space of just a few hours, while in Bavaria the snow reached record levels. „The remarkable fact was that before this snow event, the amount of rain that normally falls in the whole month of November fell within two days,“ recalls Cedrik Zapfe.

As CTO, he is responsible for product development at mounting system manufacturer Schletter in Kirchdorf/Haag, Upper Bavaria. The combination of immense quantities of rain and subsequent snow masses can certainly be problematic for photovoltaics, in particular for ground-mounted systems. „In the region, the piles of ground-mounted systems often sank by up to 40 centimetres,“ says Zapfe.

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Extreme events almost impossible to predict

The effect of the rain was to soften the ground upon which the solar installations were standing. The weight of the subsequent snow on the modules pushed the posts of the mounting system downwards. „The planners had not designed the systems for such a situation, and that is understandable: there had never been such an event before,“ says Cedrik Zapfe.

Pile deeper?

This much is clear: the climate is changing and will continue to change. One of the many consequences is that the warming air is able to absorb much more water, leading also to heavier rainfall events. At the same time, large-scale weather situations will become more stable and high and low-pressure areas will move more slowly. As a result, these rain events will last for longer.

Expert tips: 9 strategies to optimize PV installations

It is not yet completely clear to what extent the planners of ground-mounted photovoltaic systems have to take this new reality into account. Solutions include driving the mounting posts deeper into the ground or specifying higher safety margins. „From a planning perspective, there is a solution for almost all structural problems. But the question is always whether it also makes economic sense,“ says Cedrik Zapfe. „We are still far from an understanding of whether the situation in Bavaria was a one-off event or whether weather conditions like this will occur again and again in the foreseeable future. That’s why harmonised standards are important – also to keep competition in place. If the requirement to ram deeper does not apply to all planners, those who do so are at an economic disadvantage,“ summarises Zapfe.

PV Europe Webinar: Mastering C&I rooftop design – from complex geometry to seamless installation, 12.02.2025

Higher costs rarely acceptable

Indeed, if piles have to be driven deeper, costs are inevitably higher, especially in countries with high labour costs. Moreover, there are greater material costs as the posts need to be longer. This is a situation that very few solar park investors or planners are prepared to accept. If they operate the system themselves following installation, this acceptance is somewhat higher than if they intend to sell the solar park after construction.

You can read about the options being weighed up by planners and operators of solar power plants for coping with extreme weather events in the next episode of our series. In the third episode, we will focus on the challenges for rooftop solar power plants against the increasing likelihood of extreme weather events.

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Solar Energy

Solar electricity in agriculture: Biogas from the sun

February 3, 2025 ryansheehanrts

When it comes to green energy production in agriculture, the biogas plant immediately pops up in the mind’s eye. In fact, most of these systems are installed on farms. Only a few of them are operated by municipalities or local authorities. But a biogas plant does not run by itself.

It needs auxiliary energy to operate various pumps, screw conveyors and the agitator, among other things. Drawing this energy from the electricity grid is hardly economical, as the electricity price from the utility has long been higher than the remuneration for the electricity fed into the distribution grid.

Don’t miss any important information about the solar energy transition in agruculture! Simply subscribe to our free newsletter.

Johannes Steuer developed a solution to this problem together with IBC Solar, a system house for photovoltaic systems and storage systems from Bad Staffelstein in Upper Franconia. They were supported by the experts from Elektro Kondra, a specialist partner of IBC Solar. Steuer runs his farm in Burgkunstadt, a small town in the Franconian district of Lichtenfels. He uses the manure from his animals as raw material for the biogas plant, which powers two combined heat and power units (CHP) with the gas produced.

30 kilowatts for auxiliary power

The auxiliary power is supplied by a photovoltaic system with an output of 30 kilowatts. This generates so much electricity that – in purely mathematical terms – it can provide more than half of the auxiliary power consumed by the biogas plant throughout the year.

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

However, since the solar energy is not always available when the pumps, the agitator and the screw conveyors are running, the solar generator can actually provide only a quarter of the auxiliary energy for the biopower plant.

Storage unit covers peak loads

To improve this value and to be able to operate the biogas plant with its own electricity even in times without sunshine, IBC Solar has installed an additional battery storage system. This temporarily stores the solar power that is not directly used by the consumers in the plant.

If the yield from the solar plant is not sufficient, the storage unit supplies the energy for the biogas plant. „The output of 18 kilowatts is sufficient to cover the load peaks of the biogas plant,“ explains Andreas Lipphardt, responsible for technical support for commercial customers at IBC Solar. „These occur repeatedly for about half an hour throughout the day and night. After that, the consumers stand still again for two hours before they start up again.“

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

With a usable storage capacity of 72 kilowatt-hours, Johannes Steuer can double the power supply of the biogas system with his own solar power and thus also run it almost half with solar energy in real terms in the annual balance. To do this, he uses more than three quarters of the solar power generated.

He feeds the remaining quarter into the grid and receives compensation for it according to the EEG, the renewable energy law in Germany. „The consumers in the biogas plant are also easy to regulate, so self-consumption and the degree of self-sufficiency increase,“ says Johannes Steuer. „This allows me to make good use of the storage volume.“

Full self-sufficiency in summer

The entire system is designed so that on sunny days the solar plant can supply all consumers in the biogas plant. It then generates so much energy that the storage unit is fully charged between 1 and 2 pm. After that, the solar power that is not consumed directly on site is fed into the grid. „I can then get through the night with the fully charged battery,“ the farmer explains. „But the storage unit is almost empty when the sun rises the next morning – except for a residue that always has to be left over for the emergency power supply.“

Italy: 1.5 gigawatts of agri-PV will receive funding

On cloudy days, however, the yield of the solar system is not enough to cover the entire consumption of the biogas plant and charge the storage unit at the same time. Then the battery is only half full in the evening. At such times, the energy has to come from outside the grid.

You can read the full story in our special about self-consumption of own solar electricity on farms. The spacial is ready for download free of charge here. (su)

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Solar Energy

Showcase project – Phoenix Contact opens park to show the future of the All Electric Society

October 14, 2024 ryansheehanrts

Phoenix Contact has completely redesigned the access area to the factory premises in Blomberg in Germany on an area of around 7,600 square metres. The centrepiece is a freely accessible park that makes the vision of the All Electric Society tangible for everyone and explains it in an understandable way. A distinctive feature is a solar tracker with a diameter of twelve metres on the roundabout directly at the park. It can be rotated so that it is always at the right angle to the sun.

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Solar-electric power supply already possible today

By means of the energy flow from generation, conversion, storage and distribution to optimised energy use, the park shows how the All Electric Society can become reality. Real applications illustrate how sector coupling works and which technologies make it possible.

The park is a miniature representation of the real world. Glass containers for the respective applications, open-air systems and a pavilion with a control room and meeting rooms form the exhibition areas of the park. This shows a holistic picture of the sparing use of resources based on existing technologies.

Experience sector coupling at first hand

The common thread running through the park is the flow of energy and data. Along this theme, applications are placed in a meaningful context and their mutual influence is shown. The basis is the generation of renewable energy with solar and wind power. In the park itself, solar modules provide sustainable electricity. They are located on the roofs of the Cubes and the charging stations, integrated into the facade of the pavilion and used as floor panels.

Around 155 kilowatts of photovoltaics installed

A total of 550 solar modules were installed in the park. They supply 155,000 kilowatt hours of clean electricity per year. Wind energy is exemplified by a walk-in wind gondola in the park and a wind tree. Its small wind rotors turn even in weak winds and generate energy. With 36 blades, so-called aeroleafs, the wind tree has a total output of almost eleven kilowatts.

Since the sun and the wind are not always available in equal quantities, surplus energy must be stored and released when needed. Battery storage units are used for this purpose, for example. In this way, energy consumers in the park are supplied with clean energy at all times. These include the buildings, e-charging stations and the applications in the park. Optimisation measures are also demonstrated on these consumers in order to reduce energy demand and resource use.

Systems precisely balanced

The energy generators, storage units, consumers and the medium-voltage grid are connected via a local grid station. An energy management system ensures the balance between generators, storage units and consumers. The system records all relevant characteristic data and controls the energy flows via the local network station.

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In the park of the All Electric Society, not only electrical energy is needed, but also other energy sources. The cubes and the pavilion in the park are supplied with heat or cold. This energy flow is controlled by an independent hydraulic system that integrates a cold local heating network, ice storage and two heat pumps.

Site now open for visitors

The park has been freely accessible to visitors as of September 2023. Extensive information is available on the internet for an overview. This makes it possible to plan a visit in advance. (HS/mfo)

All information about the All Electric Society Park can be found here.

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