Agri-PV: A Sustainable Synergy for Germany’s Land, Farmers, and Future

Our Agri-PV in action at our Research & Innovation Centre, Rathenow — where clean energy meets sustainable agriculture.

Combining solar energy with agriculture is not just a visionary concept — it’s becoming a practical necessity in Germany’s energy and climate transition. As the government raises its ambitions, targeting 80% of electricity generation from renewables by 2030 and increasing the national solar capacity goal from 215 GW by 2030 to 400 GW by 2040, Agri-photovoltaics (Agri-PV) has emerged as a key enabler. Supported by favourable policy frameworks, Agri-PV allows dual use of land — integrating solar generation without displacing food production — and offers a powerful response to growing land-use conflicts. With ~17 million hectares of agricultural land and rising energy demands, Germany is uniquely positioned to lead the way in scaling Agri-PV solutions that make agriculture and energy generation work hand-in-hand.

For Farmers: Productivity and Profitability Hand-in-Hand

Agri-PV presents an economic opportunity for farmers to diversify income without giving up their land. Our Agri-PV systems are designed to work around various agricultural needs — from vegetable cultivation to livestock grazing. Strategic shading from solar modules reduces heat stress on plants and animals alike. For farmers, this translates into healthier crops, improved animal welfare, and lower water usage. Moreover, revenue from solar projects provides additional financial security, which can be reinvested into modernizing farms or weathering market fluctuations. Several tests conducted at our R&D facility in Rathenow have even shown increased yields due to better soil moisture retention and less exposure to harsh sunlight due to partial and intermittent shading of the photovoltaic modules.

(Left Image) - Higher vegetation underneath the modules due to more moisture and higher temperature. (Center Image) - Lower plant growth between the module rows due to stronger sunlight and less moisture. (Right Image) - Clean energy generation and livestock grazing.

For the Environment: Regeneration, Not Just Generation

Our Agri-PV projects contribute to environmental regeneration in multiple ways. Rainwater is intelligently distributed along solar module edges, preventing waterlogging and erosion while enriching soil health. The absence of fertilizers and pesticides under our modules helps in maintaining ecological balance, especially in sensitive areas like peatlands. In Germany, where most peatlands are intensively used for grazing and cultivation, our Agri-PV systems offer a sustainable alternative: shading from the panels promotes stronger vegetation, reduces desertification, and significantly cuts greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, with no need for concrete foundations and minimal soil disturbance during installation or removal, our systems ensure long-term sustainability.                                                                                                       

Every Drop Counts - Rainwater distribution along our solar module edges to optimize land and crop management.

For Land Use: Unlocking Efficiency on Every Hectare

Germany is increasingly focused on balancing land use across agriculture, infrastructure, and clean energy development. Agri-PV offers a practical and scalable solution. With our modular systems, even intensively used peatlands and challenging terrains can be utilized for clean energy production without compromising their agricultural value. Whether it’s mowing under solar modules using light equipment, or leveraging bifacial glass modules for fruit crops, our systems are designed to maximize every square meter with minimal intrusion.

For Society: Revitalizing Rural Economies

Beyond the field, Agri-PV sparks wider community development. The model creates employment opportunities not just for farmers, but for agronomists, engineers, and local contractors. It draws universities and research centres into collaboration, fostering innovation and rural revitalization. Recently, we welcomed an excursion group of 25 students from Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences — specializing in horticulture and industrial engineering — to our Research and Innovation Center, where they explored real-world Agri-PV applications and future career pathways. The students showed great interest, particularly in crop selection under partial shade and irrigation solutions. The feedback from the university was consistently positive, with the visit providing valuable impetus for final theses and future research collaborations.

In underperforming agricultural regions, the dual-use model makes land profitable again — opening the door to youth employment and long-term sustainability of rural economies.

Future innovators meet real-world Agri-PV — great to host Osnabrück University students at our Research & Innovation Centre!

A Future-Proof Solution

Germany’s climate targets and land policies demand solutions that are both environmentally and economically sustainable. Agri-PV, as championed by us through our platform SUNfarming, addresses both. Whether it’s growing root vegetables beneath solar arrays in Brandenburg or integrating sheep grazing in Lower Saxony, the possibilities are both real and replicable.

As we look to the future, Agri-PV stands out not just as a technology, but as a philosophy — one that places land, livelihood, and low-carbon power at the heart of our energy transition.