Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISEThe “PV-GreenHHouse” project is investigating how different PV technologies can be integrated into existing greenhouses. The project partners – Fraunhofer ISE, Geisenheim University (HGU), the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW), and the Center for Business Administration in Horticulture (ZBG) (ZBG), in collaboration with the commercial grower Knobi Blumen in Hamburg, are addressing key challenges facing urban horticulture in Hamburg, particularly rising energy costs, climate adaptation, and the need for decarbonization. The goal is to develop practical solutions to increase energy efficiency and sustainably strengthen the industry’s competitiveness.
Integration of PV into Greenhouses in the Hanseatic City of Hamburg
PV-GreenHHouse
Visualisierung: Mit unterschiedlichen PV-Systemen nachgerüstetes Gewächshaus.
Initial Situation
Greenhouses have high energy requirements for heating, cooling, and lighting, which have so far been met primarily by fossil fuels. This leads to significant CO₂ emissions and makes businesses vulnerable to volatile energy prices. At the same time, climate change and increasing demands for climate-neutral production are intensifying the pressure to adapt. In Hamburg, a major center for horticulture in Germany, there is also an effort to develop the city into a model region for the transformation of urban agriculture by seeking new, forward-looking models for regional and sustainable agriculture.
Objective
The objective of the project is to investigate the technical and economic feasibility of retrofitting greenhouses with PV systems for urban horticulture in Hamburg. To this end, various PV modules and integration concepts will be developed, tested, and evaluated under real-world conditions. In addition, the effects on plant growth, microclimate, energy requirements, and economic viability will be systematically analyzed to derive actionable recommendations for the industry. In the long term, the project aims to help create a sound basis for decision-making regarding the widespread use of PV greenhouses, thereby contributing to the transformation of urban agriculture in Hamburg.
Approach
In this project, an existing greenhouse at a commercial farm will be retrofitted with various PV systems and monitored scientifically. Fraunhofer ISE is responsible for key tasks related to system design, integration, and the energy performance assessment of the PV technologies. HGU is investigating the horticultural and physiological effects on ornamental plant crops, while HAW is analyzing social acceptance and ZBG is assessing economic viability. Based on this holistic evaluation, practical recommendations for the use of PV in greenhouses will be developed.