Agriculture - Julia Wamsler

Agriculture Team

In general, agricultural analyses are an essential prerequisite to design an agrivoltaic system which is optimally adapted to agricultural requirements. Especially the understanding of shade tolerance of different crops is of major importance to be able to estimate the yield potential of crops in conjunction with ecologically sustainable energy generation. Aiming to include the diverse effects of an agrivoltaic system, agronomic dimensions and plant physiology are analyzed, as well.

As part of our own research projects and publicly funded projects supported by the state and federal governments and the EU, we are actively involved in continuously researching new approaches to the application and further development of the technology in order to enable the transition to climate-resilient agriculture and a sustainable energy transition.

All in all, our services include the planning and implementation of agrivoltaic systems, as well as their optimization to the respective crops:

Agricultural analysis and feasibility studies

• The shade tolerance of the desired crops is analyzed by using selected primary literature and serves as a basis for assessing the optimal light reduction.
• In conjunction with a light simulation, changes in yield can be determined. Especially the conformity of yield change with DIN SPEC 91434 is of interest and can be assessed.
• Possible synergy effects between agrivoltaic systems and crops are explained.
• An agrivoltaic system design can be evaluated based on the results obtained and, if desired, further adapted.

Publicly funded Projects

• Planning of the experimental design, monitoring and data evaluation through to full project management and coordination of the project partners.

In-house Research

• Planning of multi-year test facilities, including the installation of monitoring equipment and provision of necessary infrastructure for agricultural activities.
• Regular publication of our results in scientific articles.

Find out more about the diverse services of our group agrivoltiacs at Fraunhofer ISE.