Sonntag Energy Builds Tracking Agri-Photovoltaic System Over Strawberry Crops
The project near Lake Constance features a one-megawatt solar array and a five-megawatt-hour battery storage system to improve crop protection and energy efficiency.
German developer Sonntag Energy has commenced construction on an agrivoltaic installation covering strawberry crops at a farm near Überlingen on Lake Constance. According to the company, this is the first project in Europe to utilize tracking solar modules over strawberry cultivation. The initial phase of the project includes one megawatt of solar capacity paired with a five-megawatt-hour battery energy storage system.
The tracking modules are designed to follow the sun to maximize electricity generation. Beyond energy production, the system provides shade for the strawberry plants, protecting them from intense sunlight and adverse weather conditions. The integrated battery storage can be charged using energy from both the solar installation and the public grid. This flexibility allows for independent operation and enables the farm to market electricity at different times, reducing the project's financial reliance on solar power prices during peak daylight hours.
The current building permit allows for a total solar capacity exceeding two megawatts, providing the potential for future expansion. Sonntag Energy is developing the project in partnership with the Tettnang machine ring (Maschinenring Tettnang). Once completed, the agricultural business will own the installation.
