Project Launch and Construction of the Agrivoltaic System
On 1 February 2026, we have launched the project „Demonstration of Vertical Agrivoltaic System Integrated with Thermal Storage,“ supported by the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU), Germany. The project explores how crop production, solar energy generation, and energy storage can work together on the same land under real Central European conditions. Vertical bifacial photovoltaic panels generate electricity while their impact on crop growth, microclimate, and water use is monitored. Surplus energy is stored in a thermal battery and used to heat a greenhouse during nights and colder periods, showing how renewable electricity can be put to practical use as heat in agriculture.
Here is how the work has unfolded at our experimental site:
February 2026 – Project launch. The project officially began on 1 February, marking the start of preparations at the experimental site.
March 2026 – Planning and surveying. Throughout March, we carried out detailed design of the supporting structure, surveyed the plot, and performed pull-out load tests to verify the foundations.
Late April / early May 2026 – Construction. At the turn of April and May, the vertical agrivoltaic structure was erected and the photovoltaic panels were mounted on the experimental plot.
Early May 2026 – Groundwork. Excavation followed, including the trenching for the cabling and the grounding system.
May 2026 – Sowing. Once the groundwork was complete, we sowed the main crop, common oats, between the panel rows, where it will grow in the panels‘ shade over the coming months.
Next up are the cabling and connection to the thermal battery, plus the above-ground part of the grounding system. After that, the site will be ready for full operation, and we will set up the monitoring system.
