The system provider Gridparity draws a positive conclusion from Energy Decentral 2024 in Hanover. The company surveyed visitors at its booth at the trade fair on decentralised green energy supply for farms. The result: around 60 per cent of visitors to the trade fair showed great interest in the topics of agri-PV and the electrification of agriculture. In particular, small agri-PV systems close to the farm with an output of up to one megawatt were at the focus of demand.
Small systems are affordable for farmers
Erich Merkle, Managing Director of Gridparity, attributes the focus on this segment, among other things, to the fact that the systems of this size can be financed by the farmers themselves. With an investment volume of around 600,000 euros for the generator and a further 200,000 euros for the grid connection, the smaller systems are considered to be comparatively affordable. These systems also benefit from simplified and fast approval procedures. This is because plants under one megawatt are exempt from tendering requirements in many countries. They are also subject to less stringent building regulations. This enables faster realisation.
React flexibly to local conditions
Agri-PV systems of this size can also be more easily customised to local conditions. In addition to the size of the land, this also includes the topography of the area or the cultivation of specific crops. Systems of less than one megawatt are very well suited to this. They can also be expanded in a step-by-step process. Thanks to their compact design, the smaller agri-PV systems also enable better integration into the environment and minimise the impact on ecosystems.
Solar power for farmers and by farmers
Most farmers want elevated systems
Elevated agri-PV systems were also particularly popular with farmers. Over 70 per cent of the interested farmers surveyed preferred this type of construction due to its flexibility in terms of width, row spacing and module selection.
Dr Erich Merkle of GridParity: AgriPV - Transparent complete systems for farmers
Interest in small trackers is growing
However, tracker systems up to one megawatt are also attracting growing interest from farmers. Gridparity has had these in its portfolio since this year. Around a quarter of those surveyed recognised the potential of these solutions, which are being offered more widely for the first time. The decisive advantages are the adaptability to agricultural uses and up to 30 per cent higher electricity production, as recent studies by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE), for example, have shown. Erich Merkle emphasises that this increase in output at almost identical costs significantly increases economic efficiency.
Targeted approach to farmers
In addition, the smaller agri-PV systems are particularly attractive for small and medium-sized farms that want to utilise economic and ecological synergies. Gridparity offers a wide range of solutions for this purpose. These range from kits to turnkey systems with DC and AC installation. ‘The demand at Energy Decentral confirms our strategy of addressing the needs of farmers in a targeted manner," explains Erich Merkle. ‘With our modular and efficient agri PV systems, we are making a positive contribution to the electrification of agriculture," he emphasises. (su)
