TECHNOLOGY
The German power company has devoted considerable time and energy to agri-solar in recent years. At a site in Bedburg, north-west Germany, RWE’ s 3.2MW demonstration plant combines green electricity production with agriculture.
Since 2024, around 6,100 solar modules have powered over 1,000 homes while researchers test three agrivoltaic technologies across a seven-hectare site. Firstly, a vertical design with the solar modules installed rigidly on a substructure, similar to a fence. In the second, known as a tracker system, modules are mounted on a movable axis, enabling them to follow the sun’ s path from east to west.
Finally, an elevated pergola system was evaluated. Ideal for fruit growing, this setup shelters potted raspberries.
The modules protect crops from extreme weather and serve as irrigation frames, improving harvesting conditions.
More recently, RWE launched its first commercial-scale agri-solar facilities. Situated in the Campania region’ s Benevento province, the Morcone and Acquafredda projects have a combined capacity of 19.1MW. With approximately 32,500 solar modules deployed across both locations, these advanced systems can supply renewable power to roughly 13,000 homes nationwide.
“ Advanced Agri-PV enables us to use scarce land resources responsibly and efficiently by generating two different yields from the same land – agriculture and renewable energy,” says Sopna Sury, CEO RWE Renewables Europe & Australia.
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