80 percent share of renewable energies in Germany’s electricity mix by 2030 - this is how the German Federal Government’s goal is laid down in the Renewable Energies Act (EEG) 2023. By 2025, the share of renewable energies in electricity consumption was already around 55 percent - a significant improvement compared to previous years. But there is still a long way to go before reaching the 80% target.
Expansion is progressing, but not fast enough everywhere: With regard to the expansion of photovoltaics, Germany is currently slightly above the EEG target path, but the expansion of onshore wind power has been behind targets for years - despite recent accelerated approval figures. The German Federal Environment Agency therefore states: In order to reach the 80 percent target, expansion must be further accelerated.1
An intensification of the existing conflicts in terms of land use is therefore inevitable. Where will all the new areas be – especially those for the expansion of photovoltaics (PV)? The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action has said that all suitable roof areas should be used, new commercial buildings must be equipped with solar systems and new private buildings must also be better equipped than before. But is that enough?
A complementary alternative would be to use water catchment areas and agricultural land – without denying the crops the sunlight they also need. Innovative approaches to combining the cultivation of foodstuffs and electricity production by PV on one and the same area are, in fact, available. We are talking about “Agri-PV”, plus “Floating PV” for water areas. What is the current state of development?
Rethinking agriculture – with agricultural PV for more efficient land use
Agricultural PV refers to the double use of agricultural land for the simultaneous generation of electricity by photovoltaic systems installed on these areas.
The concept is largely driven by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE. It therefore offers potential because it is flexible and can be specifically adapted to the respective agricultural use. Regardless of the size of the cultivated plant, whether it is fruit, cereals or special crops, whether in Germany, the Mediterranean or Africa: the systems can be used anywhere and, depending on the design, can even increase the efficiency of cultivation.
