The municipality of Bruttig-Fankel in the Cochem-Zell district near the Moselle River is set to host a groundbreaking agri-photovoltaics project that will integrate photovoltaic energy generation with livestock grazing on a large scale. This innovative initiative will feature high, fixed solar module tables that allow cows to graze underneath.
With a minimum height of 2.15 meters at the lower edge and spans between supports of four by over five meters, the design ensures that even medium-sized tractors can operate beneath the modules, explained Dirk Kühnel, Managing Director of REG Energy Engineering and inventor of the mounting system.
The new substructure, unveiled at Intersolar Europe in Munich, utilizes cold-rolled and galvanized posts and beams with a maximum material thickness of three millimeters. Kühnel noted that the design, protected by utility models, not only saves 30 percent in material costs but also speeds up assembly. The system’s design supports large module tables, each capable of generating up to 15.5 kilowatts at peak, and is sturdy enough to withstand wind load level 2. The project, with a total output of 69 megawatts, will be one of Europe’s largest agri-photovoltaic installations.
The construction involves driving four ramming supports into the ground, into which adjustable supports are inserted. These supports feature inward-curved edges to minimize injury risks to the animals and are designed to endure the stresses of cattle. Two nine-meter-long main beams are mounted on these supports, followed by the installation of nine module supports. The modules are fixed in slide-in profiles by bending the profile edge, eliminating the need for additional clamps. The design also includes gaps between modules for rainwater runoff and an integrated cable duct.
The farm managing the project area anticipates that sufficient green fodder will grow despite the shade from the modules. The shade is expected to enhance dew utilization and reduce rainwater evaporation, ensuring a steady water supply during hot, dry periods. The pastures are planned for use by mother cows with calves from April to November, with the partial shade projected to improve animal welfare.
Covering 34 hectares of the 54-hectare project area, the installation will feature 4,700 solar tables. The soils in the area, classified as weathering soils, have a grassland rating mostly below 30 and are located in a disadvantaged region. The project is expected to become operational in the first quarter of 2025, pending the construction of a substation.
