Germany is seeing a rise in the innovative use of agri-photovoltaics, where farmers combine solar power generation with traditional farming. This dual-purpose approach, which includes grazing sheep or growing crops under and between solar panels, offers vast potential for energy production while maintaining or even boosting crop yields.
In the Bavarian region of Hallertau, hop grower Josef Wimmer has implemented this technology on his farm in Neuhub. Over the past year and a half, he has installed solar panels on robust poles, which not only capture sunlight but also allow hops to grow underneath. Satellite images from LiveEO have captured these solar installations from space, highlighting their impact.
Agri-photovoltaics can resolve the land-use conflict between energy production and agriculture. According to a study by the Jülich Research Center, Germany could install 5,437 gigawatts of solar power on its fields. This figure is over 25 times higher than the government’s goal of 215 gigawatts of solar power by 2030.
Globally, around 14 gigawatts of agri-photovoltaics are currently in operation, compared to just 2.9 gigawatts in 2018. This technology is rapidly expanding, with installations worldwide, including a 700-megawatt facility in China that supports Goji berry farming.
Fraunhofer ISE, the originator of the agri-photovoltaic concept in the 1980s, has been researching various solar installations on test fields across Germany. These setups include solar panels on stilts, ideal for orchards and vineyards, providing shade and protection from hail. This concept is gaining traction, with wineries in southern France already adopting it.
In Germany, a new solar plant is being constructed in Bruttig-Fankel, near the Moselle River, featuring solar panels on two-meter-high stands that will allow cows to graze underneath. This facility, one of the largest of its kind in Europe, will have 69 megawatts of power, utilizing 4,700 solar “tables” across 34 hectares of pastureland.
However, the benefits of agri-photovoltaics vary depending on crop type, weather, and installation. Some crops may experience a 20% reduction in yield due to shading, but overall, the combination of solar power and farming can increase land productivity. A trial in the Bodensee-Oberschwaben region showed that while crop yield decreased to 80% and solar power output to 83%, the land’s productivity increased by up to 87% compared to traditional farming.
The number of large-scale agri-photovoltaic projects is growing. In Sicily, a 135-megawatt solar plant will coexist with olive and fig trees, while in Austria, a 164-megawatt facility will leave space for chickpeas.
Thanks to mass production in China, solar modules have become significantly cheaper. A study by Fraunhofer ISE estimates that electricity from agri-photovoltaic systems in Germany costs between 5.2 and 11.9 cents per kilowatt-hour, making it competitive even in less optimal sunlight conditions.
The future of agri-photovoltaics looks promising, although challenges remain. Excess moisture under solar panels can lead to fungal infections in crops, and some residents may not appreciate the altered landscape. Additionally, farm machinery needs to navigate around solar installations easily.
Despite these challenges, Wimmer’s experience in Hallertau has been positive. He hopes to earn three times more money from solar power than from hops. His new company, AgrarEnergie, plans to launch hop-solar installations commercially by 2025.
