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All articles of topic agriculture

Precision-cut for exacting installations – the new Multitool.

pv Europe’s top products of the week

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Schletter’s planning tool gets a radical update, Tritec Energy combines aesthetics and efficiency in a new in-roof system, Solaredge streamlines installation with a new app, and Ernst Schweizer launches its rooftop all-rounder, the Multitool – these are this week’s top products.

The special edition covers the latest developments in agricultural PV.

Explore agri-PV in our new dual harvest special

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This special edition explores how farmers can use land more efficiently by combining agriculture with solar energy. It also covers technology, insurance and the shift to e-mobility in farming.

Next2Sun now offers taller two-module systems for wider row spacing.

Marius Sinn of Next2Sun: “We achieve additional yields of up to ten percent”

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Vertical solar modules boost farmland yields and land use. Marius Sinn of Next2Sun explains the benefits and installation approach.

Horizontally-mounted solar modules – here at fruit and berry farm – are one of the most popular approaches in agri-PV.

Maximising the benefits of agri-PV

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Agricultural photovoltaics are gaining ground, but how exactly can farmers benefit from installing solar systems on arable land and grassland?

The new solar installation combines agri-PV, wind power, agriculture and storage.

Combining agri-PV with wind power and storage

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An Austrian developer and green energy plant operator has completed the first in a planned series of hybrid installations. Altogether, the initiative will deliver around 400 megawatts of solar capacity.

The installation spans 9,000 square metres with a capacity of around 1.5 MW

Sud Renovables commissions Balearic Islands’ largest floating solar plant

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Soltech’s Spanish subsidiary has completed a floating plant with 1.5 MW of capacity and covering an impressive 9,000 square metres, making it the largest of its kind in the Balearics.

Barbara Michalowska is Agri-PV Manager at CORAB S.A.

Barbara Michalowska: “Agri-PV products designed with durability and ease of installation”

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Corab is best known as a PV component wholesaler based in Poland, though its roots lie in mounting system production. Today, the company has an annual output capacity of over four gigawatts. One of its latest developments in mounting technology is agri-PV systems. We spoke with Barbara Michalowska, Agri-PV Manager at CORAB S.A., about their role.

The cattle shed roof had room for more solar modules, but there was nowhere to put the extra power.

How to power a cow shed with no grid connection

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A wine grower and farmer built a solar-powered well to supply water for his remote cattle shed. With no grid connection, off-grid solar was the clear solution.

Heads down  – Agri-PV is expected to play a key role in the transition to regenerative agriculture.

How Agri-PV supports regenerative and sustainable agriculture

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Analysts from the Boston Consulting Group and BayWa r.e. have conducted a study examining the additional revenue potential of combining agriculture with photovoltaics. The study also analyses specific cash flows during the transition phase.

Gil Kroyzer is CEO of Solargik, which is specialised in tracker applications for agricultural and challenging terrains.

Gil Kroyzer from Solargik: “Modularity enables adaptability in different terrains”

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The dual use of farmland for agriculture and solar power is becoming increasingly common. Solargik CEO Gil Kroyzer outlines the unique advantages of the company’s trackers and how they optimise both energy generation and agricultural space.

Many plant and animal species found in the solar parks had been displaced from the land by agricultural use, report the study authors.

Study links solar parks with richer rural ecosystems

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A new study has found that biodiversity increases significantly on farmland converted to solar parks, though the pace and extent of improvement depend on local conditions.

Not wasting a drop – Baywa r.e. has built a plant in Spain where the water is collected and later utilised on the fields.

Water management benefits of agri-PV systems confirmed

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Solar installations can help preserve soil moisture and support the local water balance. Two studies back up these claims and show that farmers can actively manage water use with the right system design.

Modules up top, sensors below – DLR researchers are using this system to measure the impact of agri-PV on viticulture.

Agri-PV in viticulture – DLR installs test installation

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Using a small agri-PV system, the researchers want to measure the effect of roofing solar modules over vines in the south of Spain. The experiments involve several modules fitted with numerous monitoring sensors.

Farmers often have expansive roof spaces for PV.

Farmers tap into solar with third-party models

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Farmers often have ample roof space, but the cost of installing a PV system can be high. Alternative marketing models now allow them to benefit from solar power with no investment on their part.

Udo Geisel is Head of Procurement, Production and Logistics at Wagner Solar.

Udo Geisel from Wagner Solar: “We cover high wind loads”

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The solar energy solutions company introduced a new system for vertical module mounting at the Energy Decentral trade fair. Udo Geisel, Head of Procurement, Production and Logistics, outlines the advantages of their solution.

Take your pick of good ideas – combining solar and agriculture is a proven concept across Europe.

EU Farming Strategy emphasises the role of solar

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SolarPower Europe welcomes the new Farming Strategy of the European Commission. For the first time, the EU is recognising the role of solar PV in enhancing energy security, decarbonising the sector and supplementing farmers' income.

Find out which technologies and business models are possible for the construction of solar systems on arable land in the new special.
Download the free Special Edition

Dual use of land – our special on Agri-PV

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The new Special Edition on the decentralised generation and use of solar power in agriculture has been published. It is available to download free of charge.

Burnt-down agricultural building with PV roof system in Germany.
Fire protection

Fires in PV systems: Risk assessment and safety solutions

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Norbert Garela, Business Development Manager at mounting system manufacturer Photonica/Poland, shares his insights on fires in PV systems. He debunks common myths, discussing real threats and presenting how modern product solutions can address the issue of improving the safety of PV systems.

The high voltage batteries for ZCS Azzurro three-phase hybrid inverters.

ZCS Azzurro's high-voltage battery with hybrid inverter

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ZCS Azzurro is presenting high-voltage batteries for three-phase storage systems and hybrid inverters for energy independence in the home.

The lightweight modules are integrated in the weather protection system.

Fraunhofer ISE: Lightweight modules developed for agrivoltaic systems

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Farmers can mount the modules directly onto the existing weather protection. The foils and hail nets remain in place. When they are not needed, the farmer stows them beneath the modules.

David Niehaus explains the innovative hybrid cooling of the Luna2000-215kWh.

Huawei commercial storage system with hybrid cooling technology

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The new Luna2000 ESS series from Huawei Fusionsolar offers flexible storage capacities of 107, 161 and 215 kilowatt hours and ensures maximum efficiency with a charging and discharging capacity of up to 108 kilowatts.

On mainland Europe a lot of research on agri-PV has done. Now UK should chatch up.

New study highlights potential of UK agri-PV

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To mitigate land use conflicts between agriculture and photovoltaics, researchers at the University of Sheffield have been investigating the abundant potential of combining the two.

An upright cause: just two percent of the land is used by photovoltaics.

EWS: Citizen-backed agri-PV project funded in two weeks

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The agricultural solar project in Austria attracted significant local interest, with the community quickly contributing to its funding goal.

A new market is gaining momentum in Central and Eastern Europe.

From niche to necessity – the PV-boom in Central and Eastern Europe

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Photovoltaics have transitioned from a niche technology to a crucial energy source in Central and Eastern Europe. Against a varying political and economic backdrop, rising energy prices, geopolitical risks and decarbonisation are all serving to drive interest.

Italy is a pioneer in Agri-PV, says Carsten Bovenschen, CEO of Juwi.

Agri-PV: “Dual use with animal husbandry has great potential”

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Agrivoltaics combines solar power and agriculture, offering genuinely niche opportunities. Nevertheless, it won't replace traditional solar parks, says Carsten Bovenschen, CEO of Juwi.