Solar parks will produce more than energy in future

A new large research project will investigate the potential of Agri-PV, a multifunctional agricultural system that combines crop production with solar energy production. The project, which will be developed in collaboration with European Energy, Aarhus University, Copenhagen University, and Slagelse Municipality, is co-financed by the Innovation Fund with DKK 22.8 million.

The demand for renewable energy has led to an increase in solar panel installation on agricultural land, despite the fact that agricultural land is a limited resource that must also meet the world’s rapidly increasing food needs. Agri-PV involves the installation of solar panels over agricultural land so that crops can be grown and cultivated rationally under the panel, while renewable energy is generated. This system has the potential to maintain food production on a larger scale in a world affected by climate change while ensuring renewable energy production. However, there are still many technical and economic challenges associated with Agri-PV that this project aims to address.

The project will explore the potential benefits of Agri-PV, including renewable energy and food production on the same area, intensive use of field robots, increased biodiversity, the technical and economic viability of the system, and the acceptance of farmers and the surrounding community. The project will include the installation of a 2-hectare pilot plant on a typical eastern Danish agricultural area, investigate the potential and challenges of growing crops in the plant, and monitor its performance over a five-year period.

– We are excited to participate in this project to develop and mature the potential of agricultural and energy production, thus establishing a solid foundation for future larger projects. This project is an important step towards developing more sustainable and integrated approaches to food and energy production, says Mads Lykke Andersen, Head of Solar Energy Innovation at European Energy.

– The current energy crisis and high energy prices have led to an increase in the installation of solar panels on agricultural land. This happens despite the fact that agricultural land is a limited resource that must also feed the world’s rapidly increasing food needs, says Johannes Ravn Jørgensen, a lecturer at Aarhus University.

– In this project, we have the opportunity to uncover the potential for producing energy and food in an advanced Agri-PV setup, using field robots. A strong focus for us has been that the newly established AgriPV systems must also contribute to increased biodiversity, he continues.

– The interest from farmers and landowners in AgriPV systems is great. But we lack knowledge about whether AgriPV systems can create a better economy for both the individual farmer and the surrounding community. The Agrivolt project will give us an exciting new opportunity to investigate this, says Søren Marcus Pedersen, a lecturer at Copenhagen University.

– We need more green energy – both here in Slagelse and the rest of the world. That’s why I’m proud that we in Slagelse Municipality are taking the lead and providing land for research that can help develop new sustainable solutions that combine food and energy production. It is both an opportunity to help solve a societal problem while also supporting knowledge-based jobs in the municipality, says Mayor in Slagelse Municipality Knud Vincents.

The project starts in April 2023, and the installation of the pilot plant at AU Flakkebjerg in Slagelse Municipality is planned for later in the year. Construction of the Agri-PV can commence when a rural zoning permit is obtained, and a decision is expected within the coming weeks, followed by a four-week appeal period.

Facts:

• The project aims to establish a solar park that will develop and validate low climate and environmental impact agricultural crop production and increased biodiversity in combination with solar energy.
• The Innovation Fund supports the project with 22.8 million DKK out of a total budget of 31.1 million DKK.
• European Energy, Aarhus University, University of Copenhagen, and Slagelse Municipality are participating in the project.
• The solar park will be located in Flakkebjerg, Slagelse Municipality and will cover an area of two hectares.
• Official title: AGRIVOLT – Integrating Green Energy and Food production in a dynamic AgriPhotoVoltaic system.

Contact info:

Aarhus University

Johannes Ravn Jørgensen

Associate Professor, Department of Agroecology

Phone: +45 21 62 12 59

jrj@agro.au.dk

European Energy

Ming Ou Lü

PR Manager

Phone: +45 31269376

Miol@europeanenergy.com

University of Copenhagen

Søren Marcus Pedersen

Associate Professor, Department of Food and Resource Economics

University of Copenhagen

Phone: +45 35 33 68 82

marcus@ifro.ku.dk

Slagelse Municipality

René Madsen

Communications Consultant

Phone: +45 26 13 19 78

renma@slagelse.dk

Mayor Knud Vincents

Phone: +45 20 45 97 98

vincents@slagelse.dk