Agri PV (agrivoltaics) is an innovative approach to using agricultural land for the simultaneous generation of electricity and agricultural products. This combination offers considerable advantages for farmers, energy suppliers and climate protection. Agri PV is becoming increasingly important, especially in times of rising energy demand and increasing competition for land. Read all about the requirements, application examples and challenges of Agri PV from the Table.Briefings editorial team. What is agrivoltaics? Agri PV refers to photovoltaic systems that are installed on agricultural land and support both agricultural production and solar power generation. In contrast to traditional ground-mounted photovoltaic systems, Agri PV systems are designed to enable plant growth and agricultural activities while generating electricity. The systems can be installed in a variety of ways, including the following: Agri PV requirements The installation of an Agri PV system requires the fulfillment of certain technical, legal and agronomic requirements, including site analysis, permitting procedures, and the selection of appropriate technologies for agricultural use and energy production: Advantages of Agri PV systems Agri-PV combines agricultural production and sustainable energy generation on the same area. This technology uses photovoltaic systems to generate electricity while the land can still be used for agricultural purposes. The combination offers many advantages, covering both economic and ecological aspects. The advantages for farmers include protection against extreme weather conditions, more efficient land use, more stable harvest conditions and additional sources of income. The following overview provides a detailed overview of the most important advantages of Agri-PV: Agri-PV systems in practice Agri-PV systems offer innovative solutions for efficiently combining agriculture and energy generation. They open up a wide range of opportunities to manage agricultural land more sustainably and at the same time make a contribution to the energy transition. Specific examples of successful Agri-PV applications include Agri-PV systems thus demonstrate the potential to make agriculture sustainable and climate-resilient. Challenges and limitations of agri-PV Despite the numerous advantages, there are also challenges in the implementation of agri-PV projects, including the following points: Agri PV offers a promising solution to address energy and agricultural challenges. With the right conditions and careful planning, farms can not only secure their crop yields, but also actively contribute to the energy transition. In the future, innovative technologies and adapted funding models will help to further promote the spread of agrivoltaics. Close cooperation between farmers, energy suppliers and political decision-makers is essential, and it is worthwhile for those interested in planning or expanding an agrivoltaic system to follow current developments and practical examples. This is the only way to fully exploit the potential of this future technology.
Agrivoltaics: Thünen researchers question cost efficiency
A new study finds that agrivoltaic systems entail substantial additional costs. The authors argue that more cost-effective options are available to secure both energy generation and food production.
By Julia Dahm