German energy company RWE has successfully completed a 3.2 MW Agrivoltaic System on a 7-hectare recultivation area near the Garzweiler opencast mine in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The project involved testing three different agrivoltaic system designs for different crops on both arable and horticultural land over the next five years. The aim of the project is to develop suitable management methods and value-adding operating concepts for agrivoltaic systems. Besides, RWE will also study the interaction between plant growth and photovoltaic generation under different seasonal weather conditions over the years. This innovative project is a step forward towards sustainable farming practices and renewable energy generation.
According to the company, the first of the three designs will see the solar modules firmly attached to the solar mounting system with ground screw as foundation in a vertical orientation. In the second variant, they will be mounted on movable trackers following the sun from east to west. Lucerne, field beans and forage grass will be planted on these two areas in the first year of the trial. In the following years, crops such as grain, sugar beets, potatoes and other vegetables will be grown. The rows of modules are designed so that harvesters can drive through them.The result of the testing can be indicative to future Agrivoltaic System.
