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The agrophotovoltaics (APV) pilot plant located in Heggelbach near Lake Constance couples the production of electricity and food crops.
After laying the cementless ground anchoring system (Spinnanker), the mounting for the APV research system can be installed.
The single PV modules were connected in rows when they were still on the ground.
Installation of the agrophotovoltaic pilot system at Heggelbach, view from the air.
First the PV modules are connected into rows while still on the ground and then the entire row is lifted onto the mounting structure with a crane.
The first PV modules mounted, as viewed from below.
Successive installation of the PV module rows.
Agrophotovoltaic pilot plant located on the land of the Demeter farm community "Hofgemeinschaft Heggelbach".
Agrophotovoltaic pilot system at Heggelbach, view from the air.
Thomas Schmid, Hofgemeinschaft Heggelbach (left) and Eicke Weber, Institute Director Fraunhofer ISE (right).
On the day of the festival, the agrophotovoltaic pilot plant received the award "Germany – Land of Ideas": Christine Montigel, Land of Ideas Management (middle) and Andreas Brandt, Deutsche Bank AG (left), present the prize and certificate to Eicke Weber, Institute Director Fraunhofer ISE (second from left), Stephan Schindele, Project Head Fraunhofer ISE (second from right) and Thomas Schmid, Hofgemeinschaft Heggelbach (right).
Beate Schütze, Projekt Management Organization Jülich, spoke at the event on behalf of the project sponsor. The “APV RESOLA” project is supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
Friedlinde Gurr-Hirsch, Parliamentary State Secretary, State Ministry of Rural Affairs and Consumer Protection, Baden-Wuerttemberg.
Martin Hahn, Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, State Parliament of Baden-Wuerttemberg, praised the farm community "Hofgemeinschaft Heggelbach" for their innovative spirit in carrying out the new energy concept.
Ralph Gerster, Mayor of Herdwangen-Schoenach, spoke on the importance of the APV pilot project for the region.
Hans-Josef Fell, Member of the Project Advisory Board, spoke about photovoltaics' decisive role in the energy transformation
Stephan Schindele, Project Head of “APV-RESOLA” at Fraunhofer ISE, presented the multi-disciplinary research around the agrophotovoltaic pilot project.
Georg Bopp, Group Head of PV Autonomous Systems and Mini-Grids at Fraunhofer ISE, read a personal greeting from Prof. Adolf Goetzberger, originator of the idea of dual land usage for energy and crop production. Professor Goetzberger, founder and long-standing director of Fraunhofer ISE, was unfortunately unable to attend the opening.
The vegetable hall at the “Hofgemeinschaft Heggelbach” provided lots of room for the many guests who came to the inauguration of the APV pilot system.
The red ribbon is cut at the festive opening of the APV pilot system: (f.l.t.r.) Thomas Schmid, Hofgemeinschaft Heggelbach; Hans-Josef Fell, Member of Project Advisory Board; Eicke Weber, Institute Director Fraunhofer ISE; Beate Schütze, Project Management Office Jülich; Friedlinde Gurr-Hirsch, Parlamentary State Secretary, Ministery for Rural Space and Consumer Protection of Baden-Wuerttemberg; Stephan Schindele, Project Head, Fraunhofer ISE.
The “Hofgemeinschaft Heggelbach” also celebrated its 30th Jubilee on the day of the APV opening. Many visitors came to the festival and enjoyed delicious food and drinks.
The booth with prize-winning cheese from the Hofgemeinschaft Heggelbach was especially popular.
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE
