News

We’re excited to kick off the next trimester of our lecture series! As part of this, we warmly invite you to join the upcoming lecture, presented in collaboration with the German Association for Sustainable Agrivoltaics (Deutscher Verband für nachhaltige Agri-PV, VnAP).

Date: 16/10/2025 - 1pm CET

Speaker: Lucas Bleher, Lund University

Title: AgriVoltaics approved? Overcoming challenges in the AgriVoltaics approval process in Bavaria, Germany

Language: English

More information and registration here

In our webinar series with Dr. Max Trommsdorff and attorney Jens Vollprecht from the BBH Group, we will present the basics, technology, economics, and legal framework. We will start with the basic module on October 13, 2025 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.). The advanced module will take place on October 15, 2025 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.).

If both modules are booked together, there is a 20% discount. Students can request an additional discount.

Agenda

Registration

Contact / Tel.: 030/6112840-96

We are delighted to be participating as a strategic partner in the Solarplaza Summit Agri-PV Europe 2025. It will take place on September 18, 2025, in Cologne.

The summit is the most important meeting place for Europe's agrivoltaics community to compare business models, incentives, and bankability in key EU markets. It provides an overview of the regulatory paths, technological innovations, and business models of projects across Europe.

Learn more and register now

We are pleased to invite you to this year's international AgriVoltaics conference, which will take place from July 1st to 3rd under the theme »Challenging Agrivoltaics«.

Our team leaders, Elisabeth Insam and Max Trommsdorff, will act as chairpersons and warmly welcome you to Freiburg. Together, we will discuss the current challenges in the research and implementation of agrivoltaics.

Explore the program & register!

Our group agrivoltaics was represented at the Intersolar Europe Exhibition. Further Information can be found here.

Intersolar Europe Exhibition 2025 is one of the world's leading exhibition in the solar industry and networks the industry's players under the motto »Connecting Solar Business«. From May 7 to 9, you can find out more about the latest trends, developments and business models in solar energy at Messe München.

You will find us in Hall A1 at Booth 440.

When: May 7 to 9, 2025

To the Programm

Register here

Together with our colleagues in the Task13 consortium, we are pleased to publish a comprehensive and exciting document. The report »Dual Land Use for Agriculture and Solar Power Production: Overview and Performance of Agrivoltaic Systems« is now available to all at the following link: IEA-PVPS

The workshop is aimed at companies that are planning agrivoltaics projects but still have uncertainties. There are often questions about the legal framework, the future viability and profitability of the technology and specific specialist topics.

When: February 27, 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Free registration

The webinar is suitable for anyone who has already dealt with Agrivoltaics. It will be about agricultural principles for the optimization of plant designs, the specifications of DIN SPEC and the EEG.

When: 12.02.2025 from 09:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Online

Content: Agenda

Register here

This webinar is aimed at those who would like to get an initial overview of the topic of Agrivoltaics and the latest developments.

When: February 10, 2025 from 09:00 am to 12:00 pm, Online

Contents: Agenda

Register here

Paving the way for agrivoltaics: What is the state of social acceptance, water management and operational experience with sustainable agrivoltaic systems?

Date: January 29, 2025 from 10:00 am - 03:45 pm / Fraunhofer Forum in Berlin

Further information can be found here.

Learn first-hand what works in the planning, construction and operation of agrivoltaics - and where the challenges and mistakes lie.

When: January 18, 2025

Language: German

Organizer: DoppelErnte

More information can be found here: Registration

Companies from the global agricultural and food industry present their products at the Green Week Berlin. It is regarded as the most important international trade fair for the food industry, agriculture and horticulture.

The organizer of the Green Week is Messe Berlin.

Where: BMEL Hall, 23a Booth no.: A11.2

Date: January 17-26, 2025

Click here for the website

The European HyPErFarm project invites you to its final conference in Denmark on October 30, 2024. In the morning, farmers, advisors, researchers and other innovators, together with policy makers, will discuss the future of sustainable agriculture. In the afternoon, the Nørhede Hjortmose PV facility will demonstrate its agrivoltaic systems.

Program and registration

LandSchafftEnergie+ at the Technology and Funding Center (TFZ) and the Bayrischen Staatsgüter invite you to the event. You will visit the agrivoltaics demonstration and research facility, which will be put into operation in June 2024.

Date: October 9, 02:30 pm - 05:00 pm in Grub

To the event page

The Agricultural Science Symposium of the Hans Eisenmann Forum focuses each year on a selected topic in agricultural research. This year, it will address alternative and innovative land use systems.

Date: Oktober, 7 and 8

Event Location: Technische Universität München

Programm und Registrierung

Basic module: September 25, 9 am - 12 pm Agenda

2nd module: September 27, 9 am - 12 pm Agenda

Contact: +4930611284096

The 41st EU PVSEC conference will take place in Vienna from September 23-27, 2024. It will cover a wide range of aspects relating to the field of PV research. Agrivoltaics will also be presented by colleagues from Fraunhofer ISE, among others.

Further Information

We are excited to announce that, starting this trimester (september 19) we will hold the Agrivoltaics Lecture Series in cooperation with the German Association for Sustainable Agrivoltaics (Verband für nachhaltige Agri-PV, VnAP). This partnership aims to foster a stronger connection between science and practice, while raising greater awareness of the opportunities that agrivoltaics offers.

Registration and program: Veranstaltungen

Join the Solarplaza Summit Agri-PV conference on September 18 in Paris and immerse yourself in global market insights, technological breakthroughs, key European regulations and integrative case studies. Make important contacts with developers, strategic associations, policy makers and farmers.

Further information

At the symposium on August 21 at the ZHAW in Wädenswil, the opportunities and challenges for the implementation of agrivoltaic systems in Swiss agriculture will be examined from an agronomic, technical, legal and political perspective. A look will also be taken at developments in other European countries.

Further information and registration until 12.08.

What do the new regulations in DIN SPEC Animal Husbandry and Solar Package I mean and what impacts will they have on permits and the future of agrivoltaics?

18.07. 1 p.m.: Solar Package I & Agrivoltaics with Jens Vollprecht, BBH Berlin

25.07. 1 p.m.: DIN SPEC 91492 Animal husbandry with Lisa-Marie Bieber, Fraunhofer ISE

Free registration for our Agrivoltaics Lecture Series

This three-part online webinar series will inform you about various aspects of agrivoltaics in fruit growing.

Part 1: July 17, 8 am

Part 2: July 23, 7 pm

Part 3: July 25 7 pm

Free registration and further information

The 1st agrivoltaics forum of southern Germany will take place on July 10 as a cooperative event of LandSchafftEnergie+ at the Technology and Promotion Center and the Bavarian State Farms in Grub. Inform, network, visit - current developments, legal aspects and practical examples in the field of agrivoltaics will be presented.

Information and registration

Why do we think that agrivoltaics can be an adaptation strategy to global warming and for viticulture?

When? July 9, 10 am - 2:30 pm

Where? Von-Lade-Straße 1, 65366 Geisenheim

(Hörsaal 30 (Erbslöh)) and tour of the facilities (from approx. 12:30 pm)

Program

The event organized by the Fraunhofer-Institut Energy & Climate offers an excellent opportunity to get in touch with experts and find out about the latest developments, for example on aspects such as yield analysis, system design and economic efficiency.

When? July 8, 1-4 pm (digital via MS Teams)

As an event organizer, you have the opportunity to add your own agrivoltaics related events to our newsfeed. This will increase the visibility of your event and help you reach a broad, engaged audience. Fill out a short contact form and describe your upcoming event. We look forward to exchanging ideas with you.

Contact form

Join us at Intersolar Europe 2024, where the forefront of the photovoltaic industry meets cutting-edge innovation. This year's event will spotlight the latest market developments and showcase a diverse range of photovoltaic technologies, including agrivoltaics and floating photovoltaics. Visit the Fraunhofer ISE booth from June 19 to 21 at 9 am to 6 pm at the ICM in Munich (Messe München).

Join us for the Agrivoltaics World Conference 2024 in Denver, Colorado, from June 11 to 13. Celebrating its fifth year, this event offers a unique opportunity to unite the global agrivoltaics community. Engage in a dynamic platform for networking, exchanging innovative ideas, and sharing groundbreaking research results. Don’t miss your chance to connect with industry leaders and pioneers in agrivoltaics.

Agrivoltaics facilities in germany

If you own or operate an agrivoltaic system that you would like to add to the map, please click on the link below and complete our questionnaire.

Add facility

On June 5, the results of the research project »Landgewinn« will be presented at the Fraunhofer-Forum Berlin, supplemented by expert contributions from the community, and there will be space for discussion and networking.

Solar Package 1 has just been passed. Which regulations and subsidy frameworks are changing, what was the background to the changes, are there different interpretations and what consequences does this have for the different PV market segments?

When? On 07.05. at 14:15.

Register now: https://conexiopse.clickmeeting.com/solarpaket-1-vorstellung-und-fragerunde-live-aus-dem-bmwk/register

www.conexio-pse.de

In this webinar series Max Trommsdorff and Jens Vollprecht will explain various aspects and the latest developments in the implementation of Solar Package 1 will be presented and discussed.

In-depth module: 26.04.2024, 9-12 a. m. Agenda

Questions? Karin Fromm (Tel.: 030/6112840-96).

In this webinar series Max Trommsdorff and Jens Vollprecht will explain various aspects and the latest developments in the implementation of Solar Package 1 will be presented and discussed.

Basic module: April 25, 2024, 9-12 am. Agenda

Questions? Karin Fromm is happy to answer your questions (Tel.: 030/6112840-96).

Start the new year with our experts and take the opportunity to meet some of them in person at the 39th PV Symposium (February 27 till February 29, 2024) at Kloster Banz in Bad Staffelstein!

To the event homepage: PV Symposium

Modellregion Baden-Württemberg

The Agrivoltaics Lecture Series will take a two-week Christmas break from December 21, 2023. We will be back in the New Year with interesting topics for you.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

RA Dipl.-Forstw. Jens Vollprecht (BBH) and Dr. Max Trommsdorff (ISE) invite you to two insightful seminars.

Agri-PV: Basic module: December 7 (9 am-12 am) - Introduction & current developments.

Agri-PV: Advanced module: December 8 (9 am-12 am) - Technical & legal details.

Dr. Max Trommsdorff will give a presentation at the 1st AgriVoltaics Industry Forum Europe in Strasbourg about the current regulatory framwork of agrivoltaic in Germany

Date: Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Time: 10:50 am till 11:00 am

Session: Markets and Regulations

The Technology and Support Center at the Competence Center for Renewable Resources has published a guide on planning and approval processes. It offers useful and practical insights for the implementation of an agrivoltaics project.

Our project »Model Region Agrivoltaics Baden-Württemberg« presents itself on its own website.

You can read a lot of interesting information about the project, such as the locations and the concept, here.

A must-do for anyone interested in fruit and berries.

Max Trommsdorff answers this question as a guest on the querFELDein podcast.

Short version: Episode 29 - Reingehört

Extended version: Episode 29

Max Trommsdorff provides numerous exciting insights and shows many potentials of argivoltaics. This exciting podcast episode was produced in cooperation with ZALF.

Can synergies in agriculture through an integration of solar energy reduce the cost of agrivoltaics? An economic analysis in apple farming

In light of the intended acceleration of the expansion of renewable energies and the second national PV summit to present the PV strategy, the scientists Prof. Müller and other colleagues from ZALF, Max Trommsdorff from Fraunhofer ISE, and legal expert Vollprecht from BBH presented their proposals on the topic of agrivoltaics in a position paper.

Would you like to learn more about the possibilities of photovoltaics on rewetted peatlands? Then visit our project website.

We would like to present the diverse developments in agrivoltaics together with the Becker Büttner Held Group in our webinar series.

There will be a foundational webinar on May 16, 2023, from 2 pm to 5 pm, and a follow-up webinar on May 17, 2023, from 9 am to 12 pm.

Check out our research project VAckerBio.

In this projects, investigations on agronomic assessments and impacts on biodiversity are being made and compared to elevated systems. In these regards, the project results are intended to serve as a guide in the ecological and agricultural evaluation of agrivoltaic systems in arable farming.

It is with great sadness and gratitude that we bid farewell to Prof. Adolf Goetzberger, who passed away at the age of 94. As a visionary mastermind, Adolf Goetzberger, together with his colleague Armin Zastrow, first published the idea of agrivoltaics in 1981. He was also a key pioneer for the general use of solar energy. We bow to the life's work of Adolf Goetzberger and will carry on his legacy.

How do we accelerate the market ramp-up of agrivoltaics?

The working group 'Accompanying Research Agrivoltaics' has published a position paper discussing the hurdles and opportunities for acceleration.

More information

Would you like to learn more about our research project »SynAgri-PV: Synergetic integration of photovoltaics in agriculture - networking and support for the market ramp-up of agrivoltaics in Germany« ?

Then visit our homepage!

The use of agrivoltaics is an innovative response to the problems of our time. However, the potential of agrivoltaics can only be realized if agricultural enterprises are willing to adopt this technology.

Fraunhofer ISE, in collaboration with the University of Göttingen, is conducting an online survey among farmers regarding their readiness to use agrivoltaics

MIGAL Galilee Research Institute is hosting the second SunnySide APV Summit 2023.

For the second time, farmers, research institutes, energy companies and entrepreneurs, regulatory leaders and representatives of government ministries come together to create a reliable and quality knowledge base that will enable farmers to implement agrivoltaic systems in fields and agricultural land.

Register and check out the program!

In december, we hosted a workshop on the regulatory framework for agrivoltaics in France, Germany, Italy and Israel.

You can now watch the webinar (again) on our YouTube channel!

Watch here

A growing number of governments around the world started to adjust the legal framework or implementing supporting schemes for APV.

On Dec. 14, 2022, experts will provide an overview of legal developments for APV. This offers the opportunity of a fact-based discussion on the problems and potentials regarding the expansion of this technology.

More info about the program and online-link

For the next AgriVoltaics conference, which will be held in Daegu, South Korea from April 12-14, 2023, abstracts can still be submitted until November 27, 2022.

More info

The first experience report in the form of questions & answers regarding the agrivoltaic fruit cultivation research facility in Gelsdorf is now available.

The questions and answers from the project consortium are divided into topics such as the construction of the facility and economic viability.

Check it out and learn more about agrivoltaics in fruit cultivation.

The agrivoltaics-guideline is now available in English!

The first edition of the guide was revised and published in april this year. Now the English version of it is online.

Download the guideline

HyPErFarm researches how business models for Agri-PV can be optimized by incorporating innovative PV technologies (PV-H2 production, bifacial PV panels), new plant production systems, and studies on acceptance by citizens and agricultural enterprises.

Here is the link to the website

Try out the interactive web tool from HyPErFarm

The website of the research project »Landgewinn« is online.

The research project is a multidisciplinary analysis of three decarbonization strategies aimed at creating an energy system analysis that outlines the potentials and options for CO2 reduction in agriculture.

Here is the link to the website

The German Farmers' Association (DBV), Fraunhofer ISE, and Kehl University welcome the increased support for agrivoltaics in the EEG 2023 in a joint position paper. However, more targeted support and simplifications of the approval processes for agrivoltaic systems are still necessary.

More information

At the Agricultural Main Festival, Federal Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir, Minister of Food, Rural Affairs, and Consumer Protection Peter Hauk, and President of the German Farmers' Association Peter Rukwied visited the group agrivoltaics. During their visit, they were introduced to the »Model Region for Agrivoltaics in Baden-Württemberg«.

Two new dates are available for the webinar »Fresh Wind for Agrivoltaics: We Bring You Up to Speed!« which is conducted by Fraunhofer ISE in cooperation with the law firm Becker Büttner Held Group. The next date is:

Friday, September 16, 2022 (from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm).

Now the "Sendung mit der Maus" has also reported on agrivoltaics!

Starting at minute 19, there is a small insight into the system at the Nachtwey fruit farm.

Here is the link to the segment

ZDF also reported on the agrivoltaic system at the Nachtwey fruit farm in Gelsdorf. Farmer Christian Nachtwey and Andreas Steinhüser from Fraunhofer ISE were interviewed for this.

More about the Agri-PV system

The SynAgri-PV project is starting:

Under the coordination of Fraunhofer ISE and ZALF, nine partners from research and industry are working on the development of a vision for agrivoltaics. The goal is to evaluate and accelerate the technical, legal, economic, and societal framework conditions for market ramp-up in Germany.

More information.

We (and the research project in Gelsdorf) made it into the daily news!

Check it out!

It starts at minute 13:20!

If you want to know more about an Agrivoltaics-BOT, check out the interesting presentation of Karim Fahmy who is working in our research group at Fraunhofer ISE.

An Agrivoltaics-Bot is a fully automated CNC (Computerized-Numerical-Control) field cultivation system that has been integrated into an agrivoltaic system.

The group agrivoltaics will be represented at the PV Symposium in Freiburg.

On Tuesday, Fraunhofer ISE will conduct a tour at 6 pm, and on Thursday at 9 am, presentations will provide insights into various areas of agrivoltaics.

More info.

For those who want to dive deeper into the topic of Agrivoltaics:

On Monday, June 20, 2022, from 9 am to 1 pm, a webinar by Fraunhofer ISE and BBH on the fundamentals of agrivoltaics will take place.

From June 15 to June 17, Agrivoltaics22 conference will finally take place!

Scientists from agrivoltaics research-group of the Fraunhofer ISE will be participating either online or on-site in Italy!
AgriVoltaics2022 will provide a high level scientific exchange and great networking opportunities.

Check out the program!

The agrivoltaics guide has been revised, incorporating new insights and developments.

The guide is now available in printed form. If you would like to receive the printed guide, please write to us here.

The Agri-PV guide can also be downloaded online.

As part of the research project "Model Region for agrivoltaics in Baden-Württemberg", Fraunhofer ISE is building five agrivoltaics pilot-plants with 12 project partners.

Minister President Kretschmann opened the plant at the Bernhard fruit farm in Kressbronn at Lake of Constance.

More info

Our booth at Intersolar Europe is ready for your visit!

Find out about the latest developments of agrivoltaics and talk with our experts.

Meet us at booth A1.540!

As part of the Berlin Energy Days, Fraunhofer ISE is hosting an online event on agrivoltaics on May 3.

After three presentations from Fraunhofer ISE, the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research e.V., and the law firm Bosch & Partner, an exciting panel discussion with various guests will take place.

Register here.

Participation is free.

The second edition of our guide to agrivoltaics is here!

The new edition includes new projects and changes to the legal framework.

We wish you enjoyable reading!

Fraunhofer ISE and the MIGAL Galilee Research Institute from Israel are hosting an online »Sunnyside APV Summit« on March 1. The aim of the conference is to bring together all those with expertise and experience from science, politics and business to develop roadmaps for the expansion of renewable energies.

Register now.

The Fraunhofer ISE, in cooperation with the BBH Group, is offering a webinar on the fundamentals of agrivoltaics on February 16 and 25 from 9 am to 1 pm. The focus will be on both agriculture and technology, as well as the legal framework.

Together with a number of other institutes, Fraunhofer ISE has published a feasibility study in which possible research and demonstration fields for agrivoltaics in Baden-Württemberg are identified and presented.

You can download the document here.

The annual AgriVoltaics conference will take place from June 15-17, 2022 as a hybrid event in beautiful Piacenza, Italy,

Therefore, abstracts can still be submitted until April 30 2022.

Max Trommsdorff will join and speak at the webinar hosted by PV Magazine on December 16 at 5 pm.

The subject is: From sun to fork: How can circular agrivoltaics boost solar's reputation and increase value creation for all?

Register here.

In cooperation with the BBH Group, Fraunhofer-ISE is offering a webinar on the basics of agrivoltaics on October 20 and November 11 from 9 am to 1 pm. The focus will be on agriculture and technology as well as the legal framework. Register here.

On September 23, a kick-off meeting of the Agrivoltaics International Discussion Group (AiDO) will take place. AiDO is a working group in which a sustainable vision of agrivoltaics is developed together.

To join the meeting, register here at the AiDO portal!

Watch our agrivoltaics explanatory video!

It briefly and clearly describes what the combination of agriculture and photovoltaics is all about.

You find the video here.

Since the German Agrvoltaics Newsletter was so well received, it is now also available in English!

Compared to the German newsletter it will have an international focus and you can find information about new agrivolataics technologies, projects and political developments worldwide.

Subscribe here!

Under the motto »Connecting Agrivoltaics Worldwide«, the second edition of the conference on agrivoltaics took place from June 14 to 16, 2021.

For more information, visit the website of the AgriVoltaics Conference

Our new homepage on the topic of agrivoltaics is online! The team agrivoltaics at Fraunhofer ISE aims to use the website to connect the agrivoltaic community and to inform about the state of knowledge and current developments!

We are looking forward to your feedback. Please feel free to use our contact form.