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.

Our R&D services include:

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

Request Conformity Assessment

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.

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Site- Specific Feasibility

© Fraunhofer ISE
Agrivoltaics at the Kompetenzzentrum Obstbau Bodensee (KOB), in Bavendorf.

© ZIMMERMANN PV-Steel Group
Agrivoltaics with grazing.

Agri-PV-Bewirtschaftung — © Fraunhofer ISE
Bewirtschaftung mit Traktor am Kompetenzzentrum Obstbau-Bodensee (KOB).

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

Request Agricultural Analysis

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

Request Light Simulation

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

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

© Hochschule Geisenheim University
Agrivoltaics in viticulture in Geisenheim.

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

© Fraunhofer ISE
Inverter of a model region system in Kressbronn on Lake Constance.

© Fraunhofer ISE
Agrivoltaic monitoring stations in operation in Nussbach (left): control cabinet with data logger, PAR sensor and microclimate station and Donaueschingen (right): Anemometer, weather station, soil probe and rain gauge.

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

Request Monitoring Concept

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

Sensor Technology Screening

Agrivoltaics: Electricity and Agriculture

The Agrivoltaics Model Region BW: PV Electricity with Pome and Soft Fruit

Vertical Agrivoltaics Potential in Arable Farming