Monitoring

The aim of the project is to finalise the concept during the first phase (11.2022-10.2024) of the project so that it is universally deployable. In the second phase (11.2024-12.2025), the concept will be trialled at six sites of the »Model Region Agrivoltaics for Baden-Württemberg« project (Kressbronn am Bodensee, Oberkirch-Nußbach, Bavendorf, Heuchlingen, Augustenberg, Ihringen-Blankenhornsberg). The aim in the final phase of the project is to make the standard monitoring concept publicly available. Using the project documentation, it will be possible to apply the modular concept to other agrivoltaic facilities. In the long term, the plan is to build a database that will allow worldwide comparisons of PV plant types, based on the same parameters, which can be used to establish the most suitable PV plant design for a particular crop.

Parameters:

• Crop: Leaf moisture [%], photosynthesis rate [μmol/m²s]
• PV performance: GHI (global horizontal irradiance) [W/m²], POA (plane of array irradiance) [W/m²], diffuse horizontal irradiance (DHI) [W/m²], albedo [%]
• Microclimate: Air temperature [°C], air humidity [%], wind speed [m/s] and direction, PAR (photosynthetically active radiation) [μmol/m²s], precipitation [mm]
• Soil: Temperature [°C], moisture [%]

Kressbronn

In the last week of March 2024, a comprehensive monitoring system was installed at Fruit orchard Bernhard in Kressbronn am Bodensee. The system includes soil and sensors, leaf wetness and temperature sensors, microclimate stations, a weather station, and reference cells.

Kompetenzzentrum Obstbau Bodensee

In early July 2024, the monitoring system was commissioned at the KOB in Ravensburg. The same sensors were used as those installed in Kressbronn. These were deployed in equal numbers in the fixed system (North Field), the tracking system (Middle Field), and the reference area (South Field).

Oberkirch-Nußbach

In mid-August 2024, a monitoring system was installed at the Fruit orchard Vollmer. Here too, sensors were installed in the reference area as well as on the trees and in the soil beneath the PV modules.

Staatliches Weinbauinstitut Freiburg

The Viti-PV facility of the project was also equipped with a monitoring system in October 2024. As at the other sites, a microclimate station as well as soil, leaf, and PAR sensors were installed.

Staatliche Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt für Wein- und Obstbau Weinsberg

The next milestone in the project was reached in early February 2025: The monitoring system at the Agri-PV berry facility of the LVWO in Heuchlingen was successfully commissioned. At this site, the reference area is located in a berry tunnel.

Landwirtschaftliche Technologie Zentrum Augustenberg

The monitoring system of the last facility built in the first phase of the project at LTZ Augustenberg was installed in March 2025. The image shows the microclimate stations on the reference area (left), under the tracking system (center), and under the static system (right).

• Insights from disruptions: At most sites, the team must has faced sensor failures. This is due partly to the complexity of the installed system and partly to the fact that the purchased sensors have not yet been tested long-term in combination with the developed system. However, this does not necessarily represent a disadvantage – rather, these experiences are being incorporated as valuable insights into a guideline.
• Focus on one crop per site: Sensors are installed along a single plant row at each facility. This means only one fruit is studied per site. For example, while the LVWO facility grows various berry types (e.g. blackberry and blueberry ), the sensors are placed exclusively with the raspberries.
• Energy yield: At most sites, additional energy meters were installed where technically feasible and where systems were already grid-connected, even though these were not originally included in the project proposal. These devices enable precise measurement of the electrical energy consumed by operations over specific time periods.