HGU Geisenheim in Hesse - Reference project Agri Photovoltaic in existing vineyard

Planning, projecting and installation of an APV Vitivoltaic - plant in the HGU Geisenheim in Hesse.

• Mounting frame with an east-west tracker - variant on a spanned steel substructure (see the drawing)
  
• APV Vitivoltaic - system approx. 100 kWp

Targets:

• To quantify opportunities for viticulture under Germany's first agri-PV system
• To provide data for knowledge transfer
• To scientifically accompany the entire project through viticultural research
• To make land use for special crops (here viticulture) more sustainable
• To open up new ways of adapting the cultivation of special crops to climate change
• To develop renewable, decentralized power generation plus agricultural production to application maturity within the framework of the energy turnaround

Technical details:

• AgriPV Tracker (software controlled tracking of the modules according to the brightest point in the sky)
• Series construction 2 x 23 modules long = 43 modules per tracker
• Proof of stability by geotechnical expertise
• Concrete free fixation by rammed profiles
• Approx. 550 semi-transparent glass-glass modules of German manufacture, installed in east-west direction, framed
• Transparency > 50 %, increased permeability of the solar glass in the UV range for the plant population
• Monocrystalline solar cells with high efficiency
• Nominal power per module approx. 170 WP

We are very proud of the construction of this plant:

https://www.heise.de/hintergrund/Watt-und-Wein-Agri-PV-als-Lichtblick-fuer-den-Weinbau-im-Klimawandel-9751844.html?seite=all

Very interesting video about our Agri-Photovoltaic project in viticulture with HGU Geisenheim:

https://www.hessenschau.de/tv-sendung/solaranlage-im-weinberg,video-179896.html

Thomas Franke and Martin Hibsch are responsible for sales support, planning and project planning, project support and monitoring up to commissioning with its documentation Start is planned for the end of September 2022.

Agri-PV in viticulture
- VitiVoltaic project at the University of Geisenheim, adaptation strategy to climate change?
Observations to date - First year under APV:

Climate change using the example of viticulture in the Rheingau region

• Grapes are sensitive to climatic changes.
• Rising temperatures result in higher sugar content in the grapes and less acidity.
• The increasingly frequent hail events also play a major role in viticulture.
• Warm, humid weather, in turn, unfortunately creates ideal conditions for the spread of fungal infections.
• Late frosts can endanger the young shoots.

HGU Geisenheim in Hesse - reference object

Research project 2 Agri-Photovoltaics in combination with an optimal storage solution

Develop renewable, distributed power generation plus agricultural production to application maturity.

Technical details:

• Vineyard heating with antifreeze heating wires (avoiding late frosts, which endanger the young shoots).
• Charging adapter for user-customers in viticulture.
• 2 charging columns (wall boxes) for charging e-mobiles.
• Mobile electric transporter with a capacity of approx. 40kW
• Portable storage with a capacity of approx. 11 kW
• Start of construction March 2023

The storage units and the charging adapter are also fed by the photovoltaic system.

Agri-Photovoltaics over Vines in the Rheingau - Outlook

With this research project, HGU wants to prove that photovoltaic modules will serve well:

• Excessive exposure to sunlight is to be avoided.
• Less drying of the soil is expected, thus less watering.
• Young plants in particular can better withstand dry periods.
• The risk of grapes getting sunburned and even downright "overcooking"< is to be reduced.
• It is to be examined whether fewer plant protection agents will be necessary.
• New energy-technical paths are to be taken in the use of electric tools and vehicles in the vineyard.