VAckerBio: Vertical Agrivoltaics in Arable Farming

The research project »VAckerBio 2: Vertical agrivoltaics in arable farming: agronomic studies and effects on biodiversity« is a direct follow-up project to the first »VAckerBio« project and, together with the »VAckerPower« project funded by the BMWK, enables a comprehensive view of the vertical agrivoltaics approach in arable farming. The focus of the VAckerBio projects is on the effects of the agrivoltaic system on arable land use, biodiversity and the ecosystem services of agriculturally important beneficial organisms. The results are intended to serve as orientation for the ecological and agricultural evaluation of vertical agrivoltaic systems.

Agrivoltaic systems not only have to meet higher technical and structural requirements than ground mounted PV (PV-FFA), but also have to fulfill crop production requirements in order to preserve land for crop production and to exploit potential synergies.

By linking »VAckerBio2« to the predecessor project, the ongoing investigations into microclimate, soil quality, crop growth and the establishment of biodiversity-promoting utilization concepts at the arable farming site will be continued and expanded without interruption. In addition, a further agrivoltaic system and a test station of the University of Hohenheim are available, where a shading experiment is being carried out. The investigation at different locations enables the simultaneous validation of the test results and ensures the transferability of the results. An important goal of the project is the broad publication of the project findings in order to enable the broadest possible implementation of the identified measures to maximize synergy effects.

The overall objective of the research project is the sustainable development of agrivoltaics on arable land as a component of multifunctional landscapes. As such, agrivoltaic secures agricultural income, provides space for biodiversity and at the same time contributes to domestic agricultural and energy production.