08. May 2025
(CONNECT) The Zurich-based service provider Energie 360° and its partner Insolight, a provider of agro-photovoltaic plants with headquarters in Renens in the Swiss canton of Vaud, are together constructing an agricultural solar power installation. According to a press release, this will be created on a cherry farm spanning 12,000 square meters owned by farmers Rudolf Obrist and Hansjörg Erne in Leuggern in the canton of Aargau. The solar installation equipped with almost 1,300 bifacial solar modules is expected to generate around 800 megawatt hours of renewable energy per year. This means that approximately 180 households can be provided with energy after it is put into operation, which is expected to occur in fall 2025.
While Energie 360° will take the energy created and integrate it into the public network, Insolight will provide the solar plant technology. The film system for the installation consists of a robust plastic film that can be opened or closed flexibly. This means that the cherry trees can be protected from heavy rain, hail, heatwaves, or late frosts but still continue to receive a great deal of light. CEO of Energie 360° Jörg Wild commented: “Agrivoltaics meet two requirements at once: efficiently producing renewable energy and optimizing plant growth.”
According to the announcement, the farmers Rudolf Obrist and Hansjörg Erne also emphasize the advantages of the agro-photovoltaic system: “Our cherry trees are better protected from extreme weather and the agrivoltaics help to decrease the use of plant protection materials. This combination is pioneering for sustainable agriculture.”
According to Energie 360°, many other farmers are already investigating the possibility of an installation for their establishments. According to the company, the technology has great potential to expand renewable energies as well as reinforce weather resilience in agriculture. ce/nta
