RWE and Forschungszentrum JÈlich Collaborate on Agrivoltaics Demonstration Plant in Germany

RWE and Forschungszentrum JÈlich have launched a demonstration plant in Germany that combines solar power generation with agricultural and horticultural production. Located on seven hectares of recultivated land at the edge of the Garzweiler opencast lignite mine, the plant will have a peak capacity of 3.2 megawatts and is expected to be commissioned by the end of 2023. The research project, funded by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, aims to test suitable cultivation methods and value-adding strategies for operators of agrivoltaics plants.

Key Takeaways:

• The demonstration plant will have three different technical Agri-PV concepts, including vertical design, movable axis, and elevated pergola-like substructure.
• The plant will be located on recultivated land and will be built on a site with long-standing connections with regional farmers.
• Forschungszentrum JÈlich will contribute scientific expertise in combining plant research and photovoltaics, including within the context of the bioeconomy.
• The project will focus on suitable crops, optimizing the design of the PV systems used, and concepts for collaborating with farmers.
• The plant will enable researchers to test innovative technologies particularly relevant for agriculture in the Rhenish mining district.
• The project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of combining energy production with agriculture, while conserving the environment.
• The plant will be commissioned by the end of 2023, and research activities lasting at least five years will begin in 2024.

Statistics:

• 3.2 megawatts: peak capacity of the demonstration plant
• 2.5 MWac: equivalent capacity of the demonstration plant
• 7 hectares: area of the recultivated land used for the demonstrator plant
• 5 years: minimum duration of research activities expected to begin in 2024
• 3: number of different technical Agri-PV concepts to be tested in the demonstration plant
• 1: number of companies (RWE Renewables) and organizations (Forschungszentrum JÈlich) involved in the project

Sources:

• RWE AG Press Release, September 6
• Category: Metals & Mining, Energy, Renewable Energy, Business Expansion. Contify.com, 2017 (corporate website)