The spatial socio-technical potential of agrivoltaics in Germany

Abstract

Germany's goal of transitioning to renewable energy by 2045 presents a challenge of increased land-use competition. Agrivoltaics is a promising solution to this dilemma and benefits resilient food production and farmers' income. This study, for the first time, assesses the spatial land-use potential of agrivoltaics in Germany with a socio-technical Geographic Information System based on land use restrictions and suitability criteria. The study investigates small-scale agrivoltaics over suitable crops to enable farmers to benefit from the technology by their integration into high-value agricultural activities. The results show that agrivoltaics over permanent, moderate shade-tolerant and full shade-tolerant crops can achieve 88 % of Germany's PV energy target by 2030. About half of the 0.74 % of the German territory used for these crops has good soil quality, with a Soil Quality Rating over 60. From the small-sized permanent crop area (<2.5 ha) around 11 % is well suited due to favourable solar irradiation, orientation and slope. Most of this potential (79 %) is concentrated in the southern regions of Germany. The results indicate that agrivoltaics over permanent, moderate shade-tolerant and full shade-tolerant crops can contribute to resilient food production in small-scale farm businesses and to the political goal to increase land-based solar energy production. More financial support and further research are needed to identify the obstacles, and better understand stakeholders' perspectives on agrivoltaics and its integration into the landscape.