Germany Explores the Development of Agricultural Photovoltaics

Recently, the groundbreaking ceremony of the Krausha Agricultural Photovoltaic Park in Saxony, eastern Germany, was held. This is the first commercial agricultural photovoltaic park in the state, with an installed capacity of 1.5 megawatts. According to the development goals previously released by the German government, by 2030, 30% of Germany's arable land will be used to produce organic crops, and renewable energy will account for 80% of electricity. Exploring the development of agricultural photovoltaics will help to balance these two development goals.

Agricultural photovoltaics refers to agricultural planting under photovoltaic panels or between photovoltaic modules to achieve "one land, two uses". Through agricultural photovoltaics, farmers can reduce electricity costs and sell surplus electricity to increase income; solar panels can provide shade and wind, reduce soil moisture evaporation, and innovatively designed solar panels can also collect rainwater for irrigation.

Germany is one of the countries in Europe that explored the development of agrivoltaic systems earlier. In 2021, the German Institute for Standardization issued specific standards and specifications for agricultural photovoltaics, and stipulated that agricultural photovoltaic power generation should account for a maximum of 15% of agricultural land, and the reduction in the original crop yield should not exceed 1/3. All agricultural photovoltaic projects must meet the standards before bidding for investment to avoid the abuse of agricultural subsidies. Germany's Renewable Energy Law also provides support for agricultural photovoltaics. For example, through tax incentives and simplified approval procedures, farmers, enterprises and residents are encouraged to establish photovoltaic agricultural cooperatives, participate in and share benefits, and subsidize agricultural photovoltaic technology development and project pilots.

At present, the acceptance of sustainable solar agriculture in Germany is gradually increasing. A recent survey shows that more than 150 of the 214 farmers interviewed in Germany are considering participating in agricultural photovoltaic projects. The practicality of photovoltaic power generation and additional income are the main factors that attract them. At exhibitions such as the Berlin International Green Week and the Berlin Green Technology Festival, some young farmers have demonstrated the integration of their own small farms and photovoltaic power generation. Among them, the "Goldbach" photovoltaic farm project began in 2016, with local farmers, universities, and research institutes participating, with potatoes, wheat, celery, etc. as the main crops. After two years of operation, the farm's land utilization efficiency has increased by nearly one-fold, and farmers' income has increased significantly.

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