BayWa's renowned renewables division is set to embark on a groundbreaking journey, backed by a €6.5 million investment from the European Union's LIFE Programme. This substantial funding injection will be channeled into the development of multiple agri-photovoltaic (Agri-PV) projects, with ambitious plans for six sites to come online across various European markets by the year 2027.
Three of these pioneering projects will serve as powerful demonstrations of the advantages of integrating Agri-PV into large-scale fruit farming, affectionately termed “fruitvoltaics.” These sites, operating under the umbrella of the EU LIFE ADAPT-PV initiative, are strategically located in France, Spain, and the Netherlands.
In parallel, BayWa r.e. is set to launch three additional projects in Germany, Spain, and Italy, where the focus will shift towards assessing the feasibility of scaling up Agri-PV alongside arable crops such as summer and winter wheat or soya. These initiatives form part of the EU LIFE LEAD-PV development, aiming to showcase how Agri-PV can play a pivotal role in helping farmers reduce their carbon emissions associated with land use.
Stephan Schindele, Head of Product Management Agri-PV at BayWa r.e., emphasized the significance of these projects, stating, “With these six projects, across five countries, we're pushing innovative Agri-PV applications into the marketplace. Only if the farming, environment, and energy sectors work hand in hand can we successfully adapt to climate change while also minimizing the carbon footprint in farming processes.”
As the world seeks innovative solutions to address climate change, these Agri-PV endeavors represent a significant step forward, promising to revolutionize farming practices and contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future.
