The integration of solar power generation with agriculture is known as agrivoltaics, which offers a promising solution to the growing demand for renewable energy and food production. Researchers at Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) are exploring different scenarios to optimize both photovoltaic panel positioning and underlying crops. A pilot project in Nussbach aims to study the impact of agrivoltaic systems on apple orchards and the environment.
A recent study published in the Journal of Photonics for Energy proposes a new methodology for optimizing solar panel positioning to balance energy generation and agricultural yields. The study used a custom tool called APyV to assess the impact of varying solar panel positions on light availability for crops. The results showed that tailored solar panel control can deliver 91% of the required light to apple trees, but with a moderate 20% reduction in solar energy production. The study paves the way for further research on optimizing agrivoltaic systems, with a field test planned in Nussbach to validate the reported results.