The pilot plant in Kressbronn am Bodensee was the first in Germany to integrate an electricity-generating agrivoltaics systeminto an existing apple orchard. The 0.4-hectare pilot plant, which is being 50% funded by the state of Baden-Württemberg, was officially inaugurated on 13 May 2022 by Minister-President Winfried Kretschmann. Since then, the 1,110 translucent PV modules have produced more than 365,000 kWh of electricity (2022: 199,000 kWh, 2023: 249,000 kWh, correct at October 2023).

The Bernhard family is constantly working to make their farm sustainable and fit for the future so that it can be passed down to the next generation – their daughter Sina Bernhard. The Bernhards’ investment of 200,000 euros should pay for itself in around 12 years.

Technical features

• Steel substructure, PV modules erected as a roof in an east-west orientation.
• 1,110 semi-transparent PV modules (239 kWp) with different transparency levels:

→ 558 PV modules at 260 Wp (145 kWp) with 40% transparency

→ 552 PV modules at 170 Wp (94 kWp) with 51% transparency

• Concrete-free foundations that can be dismantled, if necessary, without leaving any trace.
• Nets between the PV modules provide additional hail protection.