What is agrivoltaics?​

Agrivoltaics is not a new invention, but it continues to be an innovative approach that allows developers to integrate solar energy production with agricultural activities. By installing solar panels above or between rows of various types of crops, agrivoltaics allows for the dual use of land, enabling farmers to produce food and generate renewable energy simultaneously. This method not only maximizes land use but also supports sustainable farming practices.

Key benefits of agrivoltaics​

Increased land efficiency​

One of the primary benefits of agrivoltaics is its ability to increase land efficiency. Traditional solar farms require large areas of land, often displacing agricultural activities. Agrivoltaics addresses this issue by enabling the same land to be used for both energy production and farming. This dual-use approach reduces the need for additional land and helps optimize space utilization. The German Frauenhofer Institute has been one of the pioneering forces behind sound research into how agrivoltaics can increase land efficiency. 

For example, the institute’s “APV-RESOLA” pilot project demonstrated the efficiency of agrivoltaics with a 194 kWp pilot plant in Heggelbach, Germany. The results in 2017 showed an overall efficiency of 160 percent. The performance of the agrivoltaic system in the summer of 2018 again reached more than this efficiency of land use. During this very hot summer, the shades developed by the PV module protected the crop from failure and enabled the produced a significant amount of energy. Considering the land – use of potatoes in the area, the efficiency of the system in Heggelbach reached 186% in 2018.

Enhanced crop yields​

Agrivoltaics can also improve crop yields through shading provided by solar panels. The partial shade from the panels reduces heat stress on plants and leads to less evaporation, leading to healthier crops. This can result in higher productivity and better crop quality overall. Studies have shown that crops grown under solar panels often experience less water stress and improved growth conditions. In studies carried out by Enel Green Power and Agrivoltaico Open Labs, results show that, depending on the crop, crop yields increase between 20-60%.

Sustainability and environmental impact​

The benefits of agrivoltaics extend to environmental sustainability. By combining solar energy production with agriculture, this approach helps minimize land use changes and reduces the environmental footprint of both energy and farming activities. Agrivoltaics supports biodiversity by preserving natural habitats and reduces the need for separate solar farms, thereby limiting land conversion.

Economic advantages​

In addition to environmental benefits, agrivoltaics offers economic advantages. Farmers can generate additional income from selling solar energy while continuing their agricultural operations. This can help offset the costs of implementing solar technology and provide a new revenue stream for farming businesses. Farmland lease prices for photovoltaic (PV) installations range between €3,000 to €3,500 per hectare in Europe, which is a substantial increase compared to the average cost of €357 per hectare. 

Challenges and considerations

While agrivoltaics presents numerous advantages, there are some challenges to consider. Initial setup costs for solar panels and infrastructure can be high, which affects the levelized cost of energy quite much in certain regions. In fact, estimates show that the LCOE relative to a ground-mounted PV installation can be north of 100% in some Scandinavian regions and some parts of the UK. 

Additionally, the design and installation of agrivoltaic systems need to be carefully planned to ensure they do not negatively impact crop growth or farming practices, but also to make sure that they meet the definitions of an agrivoltaic plant. 

The future outlook for agrivoltaics​

The future of agrivoltaics is promising as technology continues to advance. Innovations in solar panel design, efficiency improvements, and better integration techniques will likely enhance the effectiveness of agrivoltaic systems. As more projects are developed and research expands, agrivoltaics is expected to play a significant role in sustainable agriculture and renewable energy.

Another thing worth noting is the political pressure to safeguard agricultural land from being used solely to produce solar energy, as was the case in Italy. The good news is that last year, the European Commission approved Italy’s €1.7 billion Italian State aid scheme under the Recovery and Resilience Facility to support 1.04 GW of agrivoltaic installations by 2026, and it is likely that other EU counties will follow this trend, pushing for more solar power where agriculture and renewable energy co-exist.  

Final thoughts​

In conclusion, the benefits of agrivoltaics include increased land efficiency, enhanced crop yields, and positive environmental impacts. By integrating solar panels with farming activities, agrivoltaics provides a sustainable solution for both energy production and agriculture. For more information on how agrivoltaics can transform your farming practices and contribute to sustainability, explore our resources or contact us.

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Does larger always mean better?​

For Tier-1 PV manufacturers, larger formats offer clear benefits. By adapting equipment, they can produce 600 W modules as quickly as 400 W ones, effectively increasing production capacity. This shift could widen the gap between larger producers and smaller ones unable to keep up.

While these high power ratings are impressive, they often stem from size increases rather than groundbreaking innovations. The introduction of half-cut cells enabled this shift, with further improvements in interconnection strategies and reduced cell gaps contributing to increased active surface area. For manufacturers heavily invested in PERC technology, larger formats offer a way to boost energy yield and lower LCOE at the project level, providing value comparable to other innovations.

Promises and concerns​

Manufacturers claim that larger modules not only optimize their costs but also reduce system design expenses, leading to lower LCOE at the project level. One key promise is that more powerful modules will reduce costs for trackers and racking systems. With proper orientation, racking only needs minor adjustments to accommodate more modules, thereby maximizing watts per pile.

Another benefit is that cut cells, multibusbar interconnection, and twin-module designs lower module voltage, allowing more energy capacity within the same space. For example, Canadian Solar’s new Series 7 modules enable over 30 modules per string, pushing power per string up to 20.2 kW, compared to 12.2 kW from older models.

However, concerns have arisen over the increased size. Thinner front glass makes some modules more fragile, though manufacturers like Trina Solar have addressed this with reinforced metal frames. Higher currents from lower voltage modules also raise the risk of hotspots, though design innovations aim to mitigate this. Additionally, the size and weight of these modules pose challenges in shipping and installation, although manufacturers have optimized packaging and installation methods to manage these issues.

Big and bigger modules​

The industry’s shift to larger wafers has divided it into camps: those supporting the 182 mm wafer and those pushing for the 210 mm wafer. While manufacturers are hedging their bets by preparing for both sizes, the choice between them involves trade-offs. The 210 mm wafer offers a significant power increase but requires major system redesigns, whereas the 182 mm wafer provides a more gradual, less disruptive path to higher energy yields.

Trina Solar’s case study of its Vertex module, using 210 mm cells, showed a 35.8% increase in power per string compared to a competitor’s 182 mm module. This translated into substantial savings in materials and installation costs. However, the larger 210 mm modules necessitate redesigns at the tracker, inverter, and system levels, which introduces uncertainty and higher risks.

In contrast, 182 mm modules, which still deliver power outputs well above 500 W, require only minor adjustments to existing components and layouts. This makes them the most mature and bankable product currently available, with many in the industry favoring this less disruptive option.

Conclusion: The future of large PV modules

As the industry continues to evolve, both 182 mm and 210 mm wafer sizes are here to stay. Analysts predict that these two formats will dominate the market by 2025, with 210 mm gradually gaining ground as it establishes itself. While larger modules offer significant benefits, their adoption will depend on the ability of manufacturers and project developers to navigate the associated risks and challenges.

In the short term, the 182 mm format appears to be the safer, more reliable option, while the 210 mm format represents a bold step into new territory. The future success of these larger modules will hinge on their ability to deliver on their promises while maintaining cost-effectiveness and reliability.

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