Harnessing Solar Power: GOLDBECK SOLAR and ImWind Develop Agri-PV Park with Multifaceted Advantages

Goldbeck Solar, in collaboration with Austrian renewable energy project developer Imwind, is set to build a five-megawatt agri-photovoltaic plant in Gaweinstal, located northeast of Vienna. The project, featuring 8,200 Trina tracker modules, aims to enhance solar energy yield and agricultural efficiency.

The solar park will utilize advanced tracking systems designed to increase energy production by up to 20%. The vertical positioning of the modules will also facilitate easier land cultivation and contribute to improved microclimate conditions by reducing water evaporation. This setup allows a local farmer to harvest roughage, such as grass, for livestock, thereby reducing transportation needs from other regions of Austria.

The project is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2024. Under a 15-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), the plant will supply all its electricity to the drugstore chain dm drogerie markt. The electricity generated is projected to meet the needs of approximately 70 branches, or about one-sixth of the total energy requirements of dm’s Austrian subsidiary.

Tobias Schüssler, COO of Goldbeck Solar, highlighted the project’s dual benefits: “The agri-photovoltaic park in Gaweinstal represents a significant advancement in integrating sustainable energy production with agricultural use. This initiative demonstrates how innovative technologies can provide both economic and ecological benefits.” Goldbeck Solar has previously partnered with Imwind on two other photovoltaic projects.