Combining Agriculture with PV: Tecloman’s Agrivoltaic Solutions for A Sustainable Future
What are Agrivoltaics?
Agrivoltaics, or Agri-PV, is an innovative agricultural system that combines solar energy generation and storage with agriculture. This approach optimizes land use by producing on the same land as traditional farming while also providing controlled shading, improved water efficiency, and store energy for use during periods of low sunlight, making it a versatile solution for sustainable development.
Opportunities for Agrivoltaics
Agrivoltaics offers numerous advantages beyond just enhancing land-use efficiency. With the right design, PV modules can provide coverage to protect crops from damage caused by hail, frost, and drought.
Additional synergies between solar power and agriculture can be leveraged, such as reducing irrigation needs by up to 20%, collecting rainwater for irrigation, mitigating wind erosion, and using the mounting structures of PV systems to support protective nets or sheets. Solar tracking systems can optimize the amount of light crops receive, while improved convective cooling can increase PV module efficiency. Furthermore, bifacial PV modules, which generate electricity from both sides, benefit from greater spacing between the ground and the PV module rows. (2)
Agrivoltaics can add local value and support rural development by allowing farms to generate their own green electricity, reducing reliance on costly grid power, and lowering overall energy costs. Additionally, farms can create a new revenue stream by selling the solar energy they produce.
The chart illustrates the land used for ground-mounted PV systems in Germany since 2004, showing significant growth over the years. Starting from modest usage in the early 2000s, the amount of land dedicated to these systems saw a substantial increase around 2010, with a peak in 2012. This trend reflects Germany's commitment to expanding its solar energy infrastructure.
In recent years, Germany has established a framework that favors the development of agrivoltaic systems, which combine agriculture with photovoltaic energy production. This approach not only allows for efficient land use but also offers additional benefits for farming, such as protection against storm, hail, frost, and drought. Agrivoltaics also presents a lower levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) compared to small rooftop PV systems, making it a cost-effective solution.
The estimated potential for overhead agrivoltaic systems in Germany is roughly 1700 GWp, indicating a vast opportunity for expansion. However, for these projects to be realized, it is crucial to harmonize construction laws, regional plans, and state development strategies across different federal states. Ensuring a sustainable market launch for agrivoltaics will require coordinated efforts to align policies and support the development of feasible solutions. This trend underscores the significant role that agrivoltaics could play in the future of Germany’s renewable energy landscape, offering both environmental and economic benefits. (2)
Challenge of Agrivoltaics
The challenge of further adoption of agrivoltaics are threefold: legal, cultural, and technological.
According to the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, one of the most significant challenges in advancing agrivoltaic systems within the European Union is the absence of a clear, consistent definition and standard between all member states. With varying interpretations and regulations at the national level, planning, financing, and implementation of agrivoltaic projects become difficult.
Additionally, the legal landscape for agrivoltaics is still developing, with concerns around the reclassification of agricultural land once these systems are installed. This reclassification can potentially lead to exclusion from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) subsidies, creating financial uncertainty for farmers and investors.
Such uncertainties, coupled with the rising costs of land suitable for agrivoltaic installations, could discourage new entrants into the agricultural sector, particularly those interested in combining farming with renewable energy production. (3)
Another critical challenge lies in the need to ensure that agrivoltaic systems are widely accepted by farmers and rural communities. Public awareness and acceptance are pivotal for the large-scale deployment of these systems, yet they remain relatively low in some regions.
Moreover, while technological advancements in agrivoltaics are progressing, significant technical issues still need to be addressed. These include optimizing energy production without adversely affecting crop yields and understanding the impacts on biodiversity and local ecosystems. Addressing these challenges requires continued research and development, as well as pilot projects to explore effective solutions that balance energy generation with agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability.
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Tecloman Agrivoltaics Case Study
Tecloman, recently recognized on the prestigious BNEF Energy Storage Tier 1 List, has been making significant strides in the energy storage sector, particularly with its success in agricultural projects. Notably, Tecloman's very first project in Belgium was an agricultural initiative, further emphasizing the company's versatility and expertise in providing tailored energy solutions across various industries.
The project, completed in August 2020, was implemented at the Bert Gielen farm in Sivry-Rance, Belgium. This containerized battery energy storage system had the following specifications:
The system was specifically designed to enhance the farm's energy efficiency by utilizing solar power during the day and storing excess energy for later use, ensuring a stable and cost-effective power supply even when sunlight was scarce. In Belgium, where photovoltaic (PV) systems are highly subsidised and excess electricity can be sold back to the grid, this solution was particularly valuable. However, during the night or on cloudy days, the PV system alone couldn’t meet the farm's power demands, which led to reliance on the grid.
Tecloman’s BESS solved this issue by storing the extra energy produced during sunny periods and using it during low solar production, providing consistent power to the farm. Additionally, the system addressed the challenge posed by Belgium’s aging power infrastructure, which couldn’t support the growing energy needs of modern farming equipment. The BESS expanded the capacity of local transformers, enabling smooth operation of new machinery without requiring costly upgrades to the grid.
This first agricultural project not only showcased Tecloman’s capability to meet the specific needs of farmers but also demonstrated the company’s commitment to sustainability through self-generation and self-consumption of energy. The project’s success earned recognition from both customers and agents, solidifying Tecloman’s reputation for delivering high-quality and reliable energy storage solutions.
Tecloman’s track record in Belgium, starting with the Bert Gielen farm, highlights its growing influence in the agricultural sector. This project serves as a model for future applications of its cutting-edge BESS technology, promoting sustainability and cost efficiency in farming operations.
As Tecloman continues to expand its business, it has successfully delivered an increasing number of sustainable projects in agriculture and livestock sectors. These projects play a crucial role in driving regional sustainability, contributing to both economic growth and environmental protection through innovative energy solutions. With a focus on clean energy and efficiency, Tecloman is committed to supporting agricultural advancements while reducing carbon footprints.
If you’re interested in discussing agricultural photovoltaic energy or exploring potential collaborations, feel free to reach out—we’re always eager to exchange ideas and work together towards a sustainable future.
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