800 MWh of renewable electricity per year with an agrivoltaic installation in Aargau Energie 360° is building an agrivoltaic solar installation on a cherry orchard in Leuggern (AG) in collaboration with its partner Insolight. Agrivoltaics promotes the growth of these delicate fruits while producing a remarkable amount of solar energy – around 800 megawatt hours (MWh) per year. Commissioning is scheduled for fall 2025.
Farmers Rudolf Obrist and Hansjörg Erne grow cherries in Leuggern (AG) on an area of around 12,000 square meters. This area is equipped with nearly 1,300 bifacial solar modules. The installation will provide around 800 MWh of renewable electricity per year, enough to power around 180 households. Energie360° purchases all the electricity produced and feeds it into the public grid. According to Jörg Wild, CEO of Energie 360°, “Agrivoltaics meets two requirements at once: efficient renewable energy production and optimized plant growth.”
Greater flexibility thanks to innovative technology
Greater flexibility thanks to innovative technologyThe dynamic cover system, consisting of a robust plastic film, can be opened and closed as required. This adaptable system protects cherries from adverse weather conditions such as heavy rain, hail, heat waves, and late frosts. The system offers better protection than a traditional system, while allowing the fruit to receive optimal light. Tobias Beeler from Insolight explains: “The cover system offers maximum flexibility and ensures an optimal balance between plant protection and energy production.”
Focus on sustainable agriculture
Farmers Rudolf Obrist and Hansjörg Erne highlight the advantages: “Our cherries are better protected against extreme weather conditions and the agrivoltaic system helps reduce the use of pesticides. This combination paves the way for sustainable agriculture.” Many farmers have already looked into agrivoltaics and are considering installing it on their farms. Energie 360° sees great potential in this technology for developing renewable energies while strengthening agriculture’s resilience to extreme weather conditions.
