Agri-PV technology expands through new German facility and Swiss research

Agri-photovoltaic (Agri-PV) technology, which allows for the simultaneous use of land for solar energy production and agriculture, is seeing significant developments in Germany and Switzerland.

In Germany, the Agri-PV Selchow plant near Berlin is scheduled to go online on September 8, 2026. Spanning approximately 70 hectares, it is Germany’s largest Agri-PV facility featuring continuous arable farming. Managed by the state-owned Berliner Stadtgüter, the project utilizes 74,000 bifacial solar modules on tracking systems to provide electricity for 16,500 households while maintaining food production on the same land.

In Switzerland, a report from ZHAW highlights the potential for Agri-PV to assist agriculture in adapting to climate change. The systems can reduce soil temperature and evaporation through shading, helping to retain moisture during heatwaves and droughts. They can also mitigate wind erosion and protect crops like berries and fruit from hail. However, the report notes that Agri-PV currently contributes less than 0.1% to Swiss solar production due to hurdles such as economic uncertainty, varying cantonal permit requirements, and high preliminary costs for grid and soil studies.