Agrivoltaics

Agrivoltaics describes a process for the simultaneous use of agricultural land for food production and PV power generation. The technology enables the efficient dual use of agricultural land: photovoltaics on open spaces can be substantially expanded without significantly using up valuable resources of fertile arable land. Targeted light management optimizes the yields from PV and photosynthesis. In addition, value creation in the region and rural development are promoted, as agrivoltaic projects are ideally suited to be supported in a decentralized by farmers, municipalities and small and medium-sized enterprises. This results in new, economically viable farming options for agriculture.

We are working on the implementation and further development of agrivoltaics in industrial and research projects.

Strategy Development

Aₗ = agriculturally usable area, Aₙ =area not usable for agriculture, h₁ =clear height below 2.10 m, h₂ =light height above 2.10 m, 1 = Examples of solar modules, 2 = Elevation, 3 = Examples of agricultural crops.
© Fraunhofer ISE
Aₗ = Agriculturally usable area
Aₙ = Area not usable for agriculture
h₁ = Clearance height below 2.10 m
h₂ = Clearance height above 2.10 m
1 = Examples of solar modules
2 = Mounting structure
3 = Examples of agricultural crops.

Workshops and knowledge transfer

  • Current research and development insights on various subtopics, tailored to the company's interests and focus
  • Presentation and exchange of practical experience, e.g. on agricultural management or the legal framework
  • Access to an e-learning platform

 

 DIN SPEC 91434: technical and legal conformity assessment

  • Evaluation of existing agrivoltaics system designs for conformity with DIN SPEC 91434, considering technical and legal framework conditions such as the EEG, Direct Payment Implementation Ordinance as well as tax and building law (collaboration with external partners)
  • Simulation of expected relative yield changes and estimation of area losses due to structural elements

 

GIS-based potential analysis and site suitability analysis

  • Assessment of the potential for agrivoltaics at various levels and identification of suitable locations for agrivoltaics systems
  • Consideration of constraints from regional land-use plans and similar regulations etc.

Site- Specific Feasibility

Agrivoltaics at the Kompetenzzentrum Obstbau Bodensee (KOB), in Bavendorf.
© Fraunhofer ISE
Agrivoltaics at the Kompetenzzentrum Obstbau Bodensee (KOB), in Bavendorf.
Agrivoltaics with grazing
© ZIMMERMANN PV-Steel Group
Agrivoltaics with grazing.

Agricultural analyses

  • Preliminary assessment of crop suitability for cultivation in agrivoltaic systems
  • Research and evaluation of expected shading tolerances and estimation of expected synergy effects
  • Site- and system-specific selection of suitable crops
  • Yield estimation for agricultural production
  • Assessment of the compatibility of farming practices with the agrivoltaic system 

 

Light simulation / conceptual agrivoltaic design

  • Light simulations to estimate the light availability of for crop growth
  • Development of site-specific system designs in line with DIN SPEC 91434
  • Evaluation and optimization of existing system designs

 

Technology assessments

  • Technical analysis of potential system solutions, focusing on PV efficiency, operational aspects, and maintenance
  • Techno-economic feasibility evaluation with regard to site and crop requirements 

 

PV yield forecast

  • PV yield prediction: Absolute annual system yield in kWh, accounting for system losses

 

Water management concepts

  • Water balance evaluation based on precipitation and crop water requirements
  • Calculating the potential of rainwater harvesting systems and storage solutions
  • Preliminary design of integrated irrigation systems

Extended Analyses

Agrivoltaics prototype of Krinner Carport GmbH in the »HyPErFarm« project.
© Krinner Carport GmbH
Agrivoltaics prototype of Krinner Carport GmbH in the »HyPErFarm« project.

LCA analyses

  • Risk and sustainability assessment of agrivoltaic systems
  • Analysis of material and energy flows and potential emissions throughout the system’s life cycle 

 

Energy system integration

  • System integration options, accounting for electricity demand and including battery storage options
  • Approaches for increasing self-consumption of the generated energy to achieve (partial) energy autonomy

 

Tracking systems

  • Concept development for crop-optimized PV module tracking
  • Techno-economic optimization of tracking schemes, taking into account agricultural and electrical yields

Operation and Maintenance

Inverter of a model region system in Kressbronn on Lake Constance.
© Fraunhofer ISE
Inverter of a model region system in Kressbronn on Lake Constance.
Agrivoltaics in viticulture in Geisenheim.
© Hochschule Geisenheim University
Agrivoltaics in viticulture in Geisenheim.

Monitoring concepts

  • Development of measurement campaigns and sensor layout design for both PV and crop level
  • Creation of site plans for integrating the setup into existing systems

 

Sensor technology screening

  • Research and assessment of sensor technologies for compatibility with the monitoring concept
  • Evaluation of sensor technologies with regard to their electrical consumption

FuE-Leistungen

Das Arbeitsgebiet BIPV ist eng verknüpft mit den Arbeitsgebieten der Gebäudehülle. Hier finden Sie die detaillierten FuE-Leistungen zu diesem Themenkomplex:

 

Optimierung und Planung von BIPV-Installationsprozessen und Verbesserung der Stromausbeute

 

Experimentelle optische und thermische Charakterisierung und Bewertung des Blendungspotenzials von BIPV

Weitere Informationen zu diesem Forschungsthema

 

Module-TEC

Entwicklung und Test individueller, kundenspezifisch anpassbarer PV-Module.

 

Geschäftsfeldthema

Gebäudehülle

More Information on this Topic:

 

Guideline

Agrivoltaics

Opportunities for Agriculture and the Energy Transition