The idea is simple: solar panels above or next to fields should enable dual use. Farmers in the north-east are not yet fully convinced that this will work in practice.
Schwerin (dpa/mv) - The farmers in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are reluctant to use fields for agriculture and energy production (agri-PV systems). Solar power production offers farmers an alternative source of income, but roof areas, brownfield sites and conversion areas are preferred, said the farmers' association in the north-east. Energy production should not be at the expense of regional food production. Here you can see the core task.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems in Freiburg lists different constructions in a guide: both solar panels that are attached like roofs over the agricultural areas, as well as those that are almost vertical. There is huge potential for Germany here.
When asked, the Ministry of Agriculture in Schwerin also emphasized the protection of agricultural land: "Soil is a scarce resource." However, the Ministry sees the advantages of agri-PV over conventional photovoltaic systems, where there is no possibility of continuing to grow crops. According to the ministry, as long as more than 85 percent of the area is still available for agriculture, the farmers will continue to receive EU subsidies. As a result, two sources of income can be used in parallel with agri-PV systems.
The farmers' association does not reject the idea of dual use in principle, but makes suggestions for implementation: low-yield areas such as dry locations or fields with light and very sandy soil are particularly suitable. From the perspective of the Ministry, the use of these areas would clearly be sufficient as a contribution from the agricultural sector to the energy transition.
Overall, however, farmers are currently finding it difficult to judge the practical implementation of agri-PV in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: They point out that there are still no such systems in the north-east. So far, only the successful use in fruit and vegetable cultivation is known, especially in southern Germany.
