Danish renewable energy company, European Energy, is set to collaborate with Aarhus University, Copenhagen University, and Slagelse Municipality on a research project exploring the potential of Agri-PV systems. The project, co-financed by the Innovation Fund with Dkr22.8m (€3m), aims to investigate the possibility of combining crop and solar energy production on the same site.
The Agri-PV system involves the installation of solar panels over agricultural land, enabling crops to be grown and cultivated underneath, while renewable energy is generated. The project will examine the potential benefits of Agri-PV, including increased biodiversity, intensive use of field robots, 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 two-hectare pilot plant on a typical eastern Danish agricultural area, with a focus on the potential and challenges of growing crops in the plant. The team will also monitor the performance of the system 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,” said Mads Lykke Andersen, head of solar energy innovation at European Energy. “This project is an important step towards developing more sustainable and integrated approaches to food and energy production.”
He added: “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 Agri-PV systems must also contribute to increased biodiversity.”
Construction of the pilot plant at AU Flakkebjerg in Slagelse Municipality is expected to begin later this year, pending the approval of a rural zoning permit. The project will be closely watched by experts in the energy and agriculture industries, as a successful implementation of Agri-PV systems could prove to be a key component in the future of sustainable agriculture and renewable energy production.
