Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: Germany's largest agri-PV park now in operation!

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: Germany's largest agri-PV park now in operation!

A very special project is being put into operation today in the picturesque Mecklenburg Lake District, which is of great importance for both agriculture and energy production. Vattenfall has opened Germany's largest agri-PV park in Tützpatz. On an area of ​​93 hectares, the facility combines the generation of solar power with sustainable agriculture.

The new solar energy system has an impressive output of up to 79 megawatts and will be able to cover the annual electricity needs of around 4,600 mobile phone sites. The electricity generated is purchased through a long-term supply agreement with Power and Air Condition Solution Management GmbH (PASM), a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom AG. Interestingly, the project is being implemented entirely without government funding, which is a remarkable achievement for such a scale.

Innovative synergy

Agri-PV, i.e. agricultural photovoltaics, follows an innovative approach: solar power is also generated on the same area where food is produced. This combination has proven to be beneficial for agriculture. Especially in dry years, special crops such as leafy or fruiting vegetables can thrive under the solar panels while being protected from the elements. This could be particularly important for German farmers, who are increasingly faced with challenges from hail, frost or drought. Numerous studies have already shown that such special crops can deliver good yields under partial canopy cover, as demonstrated by the Agri-PV model region in Baden-Württemberg.

The facility in Tützpatz is divided into three sections in order to best integrate the various forms of agricultural use:

• Tützpatz 1: 43,4 MW / 47,5 ha
• Tützpatz 2: 16,5 MW / 21,5 ha
• Tützpatz 3: 19,4 MW / 24 ha

The solar panels are installed in an innovative system where they can be tilted to create enough space for agricultural machinery. This flexible design ensures that farmers can continue to run their operations without major restrictions.

Environmental awareness and vision for the future

Another exciting detail of the project is the environmental aspect; The chosen solution contributes significantly to the reduction of CO2 emissions, with an estimated savings potential of around 32,500 tonnes per year compared to the traditional electricity mix. The project is not only a step towards sustainable energy production, but also provides practical experience for Vattenfall's future commercial projects, which is already being gained in a pilot project in the Netherlands.

The combination of agriculture and solar power generation could have a significant impact on the future of food production and energy supply. Since agricultural photovoltaics is becoming more and more important in Germany, we can be excited to see what impulses this pioneering project will provide in the region and beyond.

For more information, please visit the articles from n-tv, the press release from Vattenfall as well as the detailed information about Agri-PV from Agri-PV.org.