The combination of PV and farming is becoming more and more common in recent years. This can take a variety of forms, that all depend on the site-specific requirements of the individual farm or agricultural business: Some farms may simply have a lot of roof space on the buildings that they wish to make more efficient use of. Others may have specific parts of their operation (milking, ventilation, electric farming equipment) that consume a lot of power that – especially with energy prices expected to rise in the future – it makes sense to self-generate.
See also: BayWa r.e. expands agri-PV across the Netherlands
On the other hand, there is also the direct combination of agricultural land with the generation of power: Greenhouses can have semi-transparent PV modules implemented into their glass to provide shade as the climate is heating up. Even conventional solar parks are easy to combine with raising livestock by simply letting the animals graze underneath and between the rows – again, the shade that is provided actually benefits the animals. Another option is solar fencing that combines confinement and electricity generation.
What is in the special issues on agriphotovoltaics?
As the above examples show, photovoltaics and agriculture work well together. And the above are, of course, only a small sample of the solutions and practical examples that we have put together in our special issues on agriphotovoltaics.
Find out more about what you need to know in our new special newsletter, which pv Europe will send out every month together with the German Agricultural Society (DLG). The first issue of the special newsletter will come out on 16 March – make sure you subscribe right here right now so you don't miss it!
