Europe | September 4, 2024

SUNfarming and SPIE’s agrivoltaic project substation

SUNfarming GmbH and SPIE are planning to install the substation for green power from Europe’s largest agrivoltaic project, Klimapark Steinhöfel.

 

SUNfarming and SPIE’s agrivoltaic project substation

Image for illustration purposes.

Germany, Steinhöfel: SUNfarming GmbH, a German agrivoltaic systems developer and investor, is partnering with SPIE, which offers multi-technical services in the areas of energy and communications, to install the substation for green power from Europe’s largest agrivoltaic project, Klimapark Steinhöfel. The project spans eight local districts and will connect a total capacity of up to 753 MWp to the grid. The system is equipped with four transformers and will ensure that the generated energy is fed into the high-voltage grid of the regional distribution network operator, E.DIS, via 110 kV cable systems.

The project is a flagship climate park project in the PV sector, combining energy generation with agricultural production on approximately 500 hectares. Its designs and technologies enable sustainable dual use of agricultural land, featuring light and rainwater management under bifacial glass-glass PV modules, installed according to DIN SPEC at a minimum height of 2.10 metres. This has lasting positive effects on animal welfare, farming practices, biodiversity, CO2 reduction, groundwater conservation and agricultural yield protection on the previously difficult-to-cultivate sandy soils in this region.

The agricultural concept for the project was developed by SUNfarming in close collaboration with an agricultural consultancy for local farms along with local farmers. After the installation of the agrivoltaic systems, the land will be used for perennial fodder crop production and as temporary paddocks for calf and heifer breeding.

SPIE will provide all the services for the project, from building permit and implementation planning to the complete procurement of materials for the substation, primary and secondary planning, as well as assembly and commissioning. Substation works will start in the third quarter of 2025, with commissioning planned for the second quarter of 2026. Upon commissioning, the first sections of the project will be connected to the grid via the substation.

Source: SPIE