Agrivoltaics
Combine Photovoltaic Systems and Agricultural Activities with Agrivoltaics
Industrial Solar realizes customized photovoltaic systems mainly tailored for industrial clients, whether for self-consumption, grid feeding, or off-grid applications. We create an optimized photovoltaic system for maximum energy efficiency by innovatively combining solutions so your business can benefit from the advantages of solar energy.
Photovoltaic systems work by transforming the energy from the sun into electricity. Sun is an abundant and reliable source of renewable energy available for anyone. Solar power systems can easily be installed on a large scale to your establishment for industrial use. One of the relatively new and exciting yet rapidly developing applications of PV systems is agrivoltaics (agri-photovoltaics, agro-photovoltaics, or A-PV).
How does agrivoltaics work?
Agriphotovoltaics refers to the deployment of PV systems on the land, which is also used for agricultural activities. The production of crops underneath the panels continues as regular on the farm or orchard. The electricity production from solar panels takes place as it does on any solar photovoltaic system.
The solar panels, placed at the optimal height and inclination on the agricultural land, allow tractors and other agricultural machinery without interfering with the operation. Even the farm animals find space on the fields, and the panels provide sheltered spots for them to rest. Thanks to Agri-Photovoltaics, a valuable area can have double use. Also, production efficiency increases as the PV systems protect the underlying crops against too intense solar radiation. At the same time, moisture is kept in the soil longer. This creates harmony and mutual benefit between the land and solar energy. Your farm will be more environmentally friendly, energy secure, and efficient with an optimized system designed by our expert engineers for maximum efficiency.
What advantages does agrivoltaics have?
As an innovative approach to today’s global food & energy needs, agrivoltaics plays a pioneering role:
- Double use of available land
- Protection of produce from excessive sunlight, rain, hail, and other weather events
- Providing a semi-shade shelter underneath the panels which regulates the soil moisture & temperature, helping to save on water use
- Increased crop yield
- Ability to use the generated energy from the solar panels for agricultural machinery
- Empowering farmers by adding value to local production & job opportunities
Optimized for the land, for the harvest, for the people
We assist you in every step of your agrivoltaic system application with detailed engineering & care for individual needs. Tailored energy concepts are developed by our experienced engineers as follows:
- Demand analysis based on electricity consumption & surface area
- Detailed system planning, design & simulation of the PV system (lightning & fire protection considered)
- Feasibility study calculating load & yield profile and marketing costs
- Support in early approval procedures
- Realization of turnkey plants
Other innovative PV applications related to agrivoltaics
In Germany, the new environmental law mentions agrivoltaics under the “diverse” applications of PV systems, and it is likely to be encouraged more soon.
Other creative & innovative uses of PV systems inspired by agrivoltaic systems are solar beekeeping (double use of the land area with beehives and solar panels), PV systems on vineyards, and solar fences.
Solar Fence for Safety & Practicality
Solar fences are gaining popularity because bifacial vertical solar panels can be optimized for property or building enclosures. For instance, on a property where your animals graze, a solar fence keeps intruders out & your animals safe and produces electricity with a minimal maintenance cost, making effective use of space and renewable energy.
How do we provide agrivoltaics systems for your land?
Industrial Solar is based in Freiburg im Breisgau – the sunniest region of Germany. Even before its official foundation in 2008, Industrial Solar has been in a close relationship with one of the most important research centers of solar energy systems in Europe.
Taking our power from science, research, and engineering, we bring our 20 years of experience, engineering know-how, and financial connections with our partners to diverse applications of solar energy systems. We guarantee the quality, high-yields, and long-term availability of your solar PV system by:
- Using only proven components from selected suppliers
- Employing experienced installation teams in our plants