RWE launches demonstration agri-PV plant in Germany

Energy group RWE AG (ETR:RWE) said on Friday it has put into operation a 3.2-MWp demonstration agri-photovoltaic plant (agri-PV) in a mining region in western Germany to research the integration of solar power generation and agriculture.

The plant is located on a recultivation area of ​​around seven hectares on the edge of the Garzweiler opencast mine in the Rhenish mining area.

The project is scientifically supported by the Institute for Plant Sciences at research centre Juelich and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems.

The aim is the development of concepts for agri-PV systems.

The demonstration plant consists of three different agri-PV segments. In the first segment, the solar modules are fixed and vertically mounted on the framework. In the second one, the modules are mounted on a movable axis to follow the sun's path from east to west. The third area involves modules elevated on a pergola-like substructure.

Research activities will begin in the spring when the first crops will be planted, including alfalfa, broad beans, and raspberries. The interaction between plant growth and PV technology will be observed over the years under various seasonal weather conditions. Research is expected to last five years.

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