10.11.2023
Source: Energy & Management Powernews
A Dena impulse paper sees great potential for agrivoltaics in Germany. However, politicians need to set the right framework for this.
With recommendations for action for a successful market ramp-up, the German Energy Agency (Dena) advises promoting the combination of agriculture and horticulture with photovoltaics (agrivoltaics). The technology has the potential to play an important role in the transformation of the energy supply and the modernization of agriculture. This was stated in an impulse paper published by Dena on November 9, 2023.
It refers to the German government's Solar Package I, which is currently being voted on in parliament. This aims to facilitate and accelerate the expansion of photovoltaic systems, which could also lead to the increased use of solar technologies on agricultural land. According to Dena, agri-PV systems have the potential to become a core technology for the success of the energy transition. The multiple use of land could resolve existing conflicts of objectives and use between the energy transition and agricultural production.
The solar panels could contribute to adaptation to climate change through shading and biodiversity protection. According to the Dena paper, electricity production also promotes the necessary diversification of agricultural businesses to secure and increase value creation. Currently, the use of agri-PV in Germany is still in its infancy, with an installed capacity of around 14 MW. However, the impulse paper predicts that up to 1,000 MW of agri-PV systems could be installed by 2025 through subsidized and non-subsidized expansion.
Dena also names measures to support this market ramp-up:
- Definitional clarity: Clear definitions and distinctions from other PV concepts are required in order to create transparency for users in the market.
- Allow approvals: A reassessment of the application in spatial and regional planning is necessary in order to open up further land potential. Compensation and replacement measures should be based on actual agricultural use.
- Optimize business models: The funding regulations should not impair innovation competition in the further development of agri-PV and the associated business models through overly detailed technological specifications.
- Increase visibility: By promoting pilot projects, strengthening accompanying research and targeted communication measures in the agricultural sector, the visibility of Agri-PV systems is to be increased.
The impulse paper was created in collaboration with Becker Büttner Held Rechtsanwälte (BBH), Elysium Solar and the Leibniz Center for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF).
Author: Susanne Harmsen
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