Fraunhofer-founded startup offers grid-connected, solar-plus-storage agrivoltaics

A startup spun out of German research powerhouse the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) is developing promising agrivoltaic projects which incorporate BESS.

A statement from Fraunhofer ISE revealed that the founders of Freiburg-based Diveo GmbH include two of its former students who already bring valuable experience from previous spin-off companies.

Diveo will help farms strategically plan, construct, and monitor grid-connected, solar-plus-storage agrivoltaic systems.

“For the design of the installations, we primarily use light simulations and shading analyses of plants from Fraunhofer ISE,” said Diveo Chief Executive Kai Klapdor, during a company presentation. “Various types of installations are used, from elevated, static, east-west photovoltaic agricultural installations in fruit growing, to solar tracker systems in agriculture and permanent pastures. Depending on the circumstances, different installations are profitable for all stakeholders such as landowners, municipalities, farms, and investors.”

Agrivoltaics can offer protection against hail, frost, and drought damage and can reduce water consumption. Solar energy generation also creates a stable additional source of income for farms, thus increasing resilience against crop failure.

From pv magazine España.