The energy supplier Vattenfall is currently building a huge agri-PV plant in Tützpatz, a small community in the middle of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. When completed next year, the plant will have an output of 79 megawatts. On a total area of 93 hectares, different types of solar modules will be erected on various frame systems and combined with suitable forms of agricultural use. In this way, Vattenfall intends to gain further practical experience for future commercial projects of this kind.
PPA concluded
Vattenfall is managing the project completely without state support. This is because the energy giant has found a buyer for the electricity in Power and Air Condition Solution Management (PASM).
See also: New agrovoltaic projects with more than 1 GW
To this end, the Deutsche Telekom subsidiary has concluded a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Vattenfall for a period of ten years. PASM uses the electricity to supply the mobile phone masts. The electricity from the new generator covers the demand of about 2,500 of these masts.
Developing young technology
With the support of the landowner and the municipality, Vattenfall is able to implement dual land use for the first time on a commercial scale with partners. "By building an Agri-PV project on this scale, we want to show that sustainable agriculture and energy production can complement each other perfectly," emphasises Claus Wattendrup, Head of Solar at Vattenfall.
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"With the Tützpatz project, we are now developing this young technology on a commercial scale. We are pleased that PASM has entered into a partnership agreement with us to jointly implement this major project. After all, Agri-PV helps the climate and serves as an additional source of income for agriculture."
But the project is not only beneficial for Vattenfall and the farmers, who provide the land and can continue to farm. PASM benefits from the long-term electricity supply contract. (su/mfo)
