The world population is growing, as is the demand for food. To tackle the climate crisis, the world needs both agricultural land and surfaces for the deployment of photovoltaics (PV). In line with the zeitgeist, agricultural PV brings together both worlds: agriculture and renewable power generation.
Solar modules built over fields can transport us into the new energy world faster, all the while protecting important agricultural yields. This is why Intersolar Europe will be focusing on the topic. Together with the French-German Office for Energy Transition (DFBEW), Intersolar Europe will be presenting new business models and best practices from France and Germany. Agricultural PV is also on the agenda of the Intersolar Europe Conference. Intersolar Europe will be held as part of The smarter E Europe, the continent’s largest platform for the energy industry, from June 14 to 16, 2023, in Munich.
Agrivoltaics is currently trending. Agrivoltaics projects demonstrate how the generation of solar power and agriculture can go hand in hand and benefit from each other and how the conflict over available surfaces can be cleverly solved.
Renewable electricity for decentralized self-consumption is a great opportunity for agricultural operations adding solar installations to their assets. It allows them to use the renewable power generated on their land and reduce their bills for grid-supplied electricity. If they have excess electricity, they can sell it, which provides an additional source of income. What’s more, agricultural PV installations can boost resilience and increase the yield of agricultural operations because solar modules offer protection against heavy rain, hail, or drought for fruit and special crops.
Europe recognizes potential
In many European countries, more and more farmers and political decision-makers are recognizing the potential of agricultural PV. Italy, for instance, recently passed new regulations that determine which agricultural PV installations are eligible for funding from a government incentive program with a scope of 1.1 billion euros, giving a boost to innovative agricultural PV installations. While Germany is testing agricultural PV in combination with the cultivation of apples, for example, in Gelsdorf in Rhineland Palatinate, France has started installing solar modules over rows of vines.
Intersolar Europe will be held from June 14–16, 2023, as part of The smarter E Europe 2023 at Messe München. Over 85,000 visitors from all corners of the globe are expected to attend. More than 2,200 exhibitors across 17 exhibition halls covering 180,000 square meters will be waiting for them.
For more information:
Peggy Zilay
The smarter E Europe
Tel.: +49 7231 58598-240
Mail: zilay@solarpromotion.com