RWE Agrivoltaics Demonstration Plant Achieves Double Harvest, Boosting Solar Power Generation And Agricultural Yields

RWE is testing how renewable energy production and agriculture can coexist efficiently through a demonstration agrivoltaics (Agri-PV) project in the Rhenish mining area. The project, located in Bedburg at the edge of the Garzweiler opencast mine, has been operational since early 2024. The site features around 6,100 solar modules with a peak capacity of 3.2 megawatts, generating enough green electricity to power approximately 1,044 German homes. Alongside solar power, the area is being used to cultivate crops such as grain and raspberries, with research ongoing for over a year to understand how energy generation and agriculture can best support each other. Initial findings are now available.

At the demonstration plant, RWE is studying the interaction between plant growth and photovoltaic systems over multiple years under varying seasonal conditions. The goal is to develop effective management practices and economic models for agrivoltaic operations. The project tests three different approaches across a seven-hectare recultivation site.

The first approach uses a vertical installation where solar modules are mounted rigidly on a substructure, resembling a fence. The second approach, called a tracker system, allows the solar panels to follow the sun’s movement from east to west. Between the rows of modules, crops like spring barley, spring wheat, and winter wheat are cultivated. Recently, a local agricultural company from Grevenbroich harvested the grains, which are now being processed into flour for baking or brewing purposes.

Katja Wünschel, CEO RWE Renewables Europe & Australia mentioned, “The need for large areas of land to further expand solar electricity generation makes the symbiosis of agriculture and photovoltaics a particularly valuable proposition. We have been performing important applied research for about a year at our demonstration plant in Bedburg. It is encouraging to see that we are achieving a good-quality harvest and high yields comparable to those from conventionally managed locations. I am already looking forward to what else we will learn in the coming years.”

Protecting the soil is a critical consideration in agrivoltaics. During construction, the original soil structure must be preserved, and tracked vehicles are recommended to minimize soil damage. Adequate spacing between solar modules is essential for sowing and harvesting, allowing machinery to move and turn freely. In the tracker system, a one-meter safety distance is maintained to prevent damage to the equipment and panels.

Plants suitable for this system are generally limited to under one meter in height to avoid shading the solar modules. Early results show that soil humidity remains uniform, even beneath the panels, since rainfall passes through and shadows reduce evaporation, benefiting crop growth. The first-year trials indicate that crop yields under both vertical and tracker systems were comparable to reference areas, with some improvements in quality, particularly in protein content.

The third system elevates solar panels on a pergola-like structure, making it ideal for fruit cultivation and viticulture. In Bedburg, raspberries are grown in pots beneath these panels. The setup allows healthy plant growth and high-quality yields while enabling better planning of harvest times. The panels also protect the crops from storms and intense sunlight, which is appreciated by farmers during harvesting. Additionally, the structure doubles as a support frame for irrigation systems.

The project receives scientific guidance from the Institute for Plant Sciences at Forschungszentrum Jülich and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE). Funding comes from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia through the progres.nrw programme, which supports climate protection and the energy transition. Through this initiative, RWE is gaining valuable insights into how solar energy and agriculture can be combined sustainably, offering a model for future agrivoltaic projects across Germany and beyond.