Unsplash

Market ramp-up

SynAgri-PV

The SynAgri-PV research project aims to investigate the synergetic integration of photovoltaics in agriculture as a contribution to a successful energy transition. It focuses on networking and supporting the market ramp-up of agrivoltaics in Germany. The project, which started in July 2022 and will run until June 2025, is funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Research and involves a number of cooperation partners, including

Two associated farms, Fabian Karthaus and Hofgemeinschaft Heggelbach, are contributing their experience from the practical use of prototypes to the project.

Short summary: many disciplines, one goal - making agrivoltaics marketable

The Project

The agrivoltaics concept enables the dual use of agricultural land for the simultaneous cultivation of food crops and the installation of solar panels for energy generation. This approach can not only make an important contribution to the energy transition, but also counteract the increasing competition for land and generate additional sources of income for farmers. Currently, however, time-consuming approval procedures and the existing legal framework represent obstacles to the implementation of a larger number of agrivoltaic systems.

The SynAgri-PV project addresses these challenges and aims to evaluate the scientific-technical, legal and social framework conditions for agrivoltaics in Germany. A particular focus is on the plant-ecological aspects in agrivoltaic systems, especially the interactions between water and light availability and the cultivated crops, in order to expand the knowledge base for yield models in agrivoltaic systems.

Thus the SynAgri-PV project represents an important step towards the sustainable integration of renewable energies in agriculture, which promises both ecological and economic benefits. As part of the digi.farming.lab, a virtual agrivoltaics demonstrator was developed to clearly demonstrate solutions to the various stakeholder groups. Find out more in the video.

You want to learn more about the project? Then inform yourself here:

SynAgri-PV – Synergetic Integration of Photovoltaics in Agriculture as a Contribution to a successful Energy Transition
SynAgri-PV_Logo_4C (1)
© Fraunhofer ISE
Vorschuabild_querFELDein_EN
Clicking on the preview image will redirect you to YouTube where YouTube privacy policy applies.

Impulse Paper: What added value can agrivoltaics offer for the energy and agricultural transition?

The position paper of the German Energy Agency (dena) provides an in-depth analysis of the role and potential of agrivoltaics in Germany, with the aim of supporting the energy and agricultural transition. It presents agrivoltaics as a forward-looking technology that contributes to both sustainable energy generation and the promotion of resource-conserving agriculture.

Initial situation and development potential

In Germany, the installed capacity of agrivoltaics is still low at around 14 MWp compared to the total installed photovoltaic capacity. Nevertheless, the paper shows considerable growth potential: Installed agrivoltaics capacity could increase to up to one gigawatt by 2025. This development is seen as crucial for the energy transition, as agrivoltaics offers the opportunity to use agricultural land twice, leading to a more efficient use of limited resources.

The Impulse Paper (German)
Cover Impulspapier
© Fraunhofer ISE

Conclusion

The position paper clarifies that agrivoltaics can play a key role in the transformation to a more sustainable and resilient agriculture and energy supply. Through targeted promotion and adaptation of the regulatory framework, the full potential of agrivoltaics can be exploited to drive forward the energy and agricultural transition in Germany.

Motion for a Resolution on Agrivoltaics in Protected Grassland

Concept for testing the compatibility of conservation objectives in protected areas with the addition of solar systems while maintaining agricultural land use

As part of the SynAgri-PV research project, a test concept for agrivoltaics on agricultural grassland in protected areas was developed in collaboration with the project partners Bosch & Partner GmbH and Becker Büttner Held Rechtsanwälte Wirtschaftsprüfer Steuerberater PartGmbB. This is intended to make it possible to check whether the expansion of agrivoltaics on protected grassland areas is compatible with the respective conservation objectives of the areas. To this end, it will be analyzed how narrowly or broadly the definition of agrivoltaics according to DIN SPEC 91434 is currently included in the various legal frameworks and how agrivoltaics could be defined in the future with regard to environmental and nature conservation concerns. Thus, based on a conflict matrix, recommendations are given on the suitability of different protected areas for different agrivoltaics concepts and definitions.

Motion for a Resolution on Agrivoltaics in Protected Grassland
Bosch & Partner GmbH; Becker Büttner Held Rechtsanwälte Wirtschaftsprüfer Steuerberater PartGmbB
Entschließungsantrag: Agri-Photovoltaik im geschützten Grünland
Entschließungsantrag