Eurosolar Austria awarded this year's Austrian Solar Prizes. G&G Sonnenstrom won in the category "Industrial, commercial or agricultural enterprises and companies". It won the prize for a large-scale vertical agri-PV plant in Austria. The generator with a nominal output of almost two megawatts was realised with the vertical bifacial plant system from Next2Sun.
Dual use still possible
The jury was convinced by the exemplary character of the plant. First and foremost, of course, is the dual use of the land for agriculture and photovoltaics. This is because Next2Sun's vertical technology only covers about one per cent of the area. Well over 90 per cent, minus an additional unused strip, can still be farmed effectively with conventional agricultural machinery.
Testing different crops
This strip, which must be kept free under the modules in addition to the land used for the mounting system, can be used for ecological enhancement measures. Flowering strips are often planted to improve biodiversity. Pumpkins were grown between the module rows this year. For the next years, the cultivation of soy and cereals is planned.
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This crop rotation also results from the fact that, with funding from the Styrian state eco-fund, the project will be scientifically accompanied for three years. Here the researchers want to document and analyse the synergies of vertical photovoltaics and agricultural primary production more comprehensively.
Project is locally anchored
The project is also locally anchored, which was another reason for the award decision. The project developers, builders and operators are not large supra-regional companies, but two local players, the Gabersdorf farmer Josef Gründl and the master electrician Peter Gsell.
Also interesting: Yield results show advantages of dual use of PV in agriculture
The plant planning already started in May 2020 with the founding of G&G Sonnenstrom. This company also took over the implementation of the agri-PV plant. Then, in December 2022, the first 80 per cent of the generator went into operation. In June 2023, it was completely finished and officially went into operation. (su/mfo)
