AgriPV for energy providers & project developers

Bifacial PV
Manufacturer: previously Jolywood, now Luxor and Akcome (but not set) –> Criteria must be met
Place of manufacture: China
Material: silicon
PV type: cadmium, monocrystalline or polycrystalline modules? N-type PV
Dimensions 2 x1 metres

We use our patented elevated system of steel posts, piled using a hydraulic pile driver. The foundation depth depends on the load (wind), the ground conditions and the statics of the frame itself. Generally, no additional foundations are required. In individual cases (underground rock), it may be necessary to use a core drill to make a hole for the foundation, which is then filled with concrete.

Modules will be between 1.80 metres and 2.80 metres in height, depending on whether they are arranged as one or two rows.
Each PV module is 2.20 metres in length, and the length of the entire row depends on the site conditions. Any row breaks that may be needed require more specific detailed planning.
A module row will be approximately 0.2 metres deep/wide – the number of rows depends on the available space and the row spacing.

The frame system is a Next2Sun patent.

In our systems, the module cables are laid in the middle beam (U-rail). This provides the cabling with sufficient protection from weather, grazing animals and wild animals. Module cables can also be given optional additional protection with a plastic cover.

Our standard variants have two bifacial PV modules stacked on top of each other. Depending on the wind load, the environmental conditions and economic aspects, it would also be possible to have one or three stacked modules.

First the foundation must be examined, as our system is subject to different horizontal loads than conventional solar parks. The systems themselves consist of two different segments. The first four or five posts in a row have a stronger profile. These are piled 2 to 2.5 metres deep and must withstand the wind load incurred at the end of a row. From the fifth post onwards, the weaker piling posts are piled to a depth of 1.6 metres.

The east-west orientation of the PV module rows means that electricity is primarily produced in the morning and evening. depending on the module type used, 5% to 15% higher specific electricity yields are achieved per kW. This means that Next2Sun systems are a long way ahead of traditional south-facing photvoltaic systems in terms of yield.

A row spacing of 10 metres can be expected to produce a yield of approximately 0.4 MW per hectare.
This means space requirements of 2.5 to 3 hectares per 1 MW of power, with 98% of the space remaining available for agriculture use.

The maximum distance from the grid connection point depends on the generator output that can be installed. The vertical system concept means that operators have an ace up their sleeve when it comes to communicating with the network operator. Real data has shown that a vertical east-west system can be built without significantly increasing the active AC power at a site that may, for example, already have a conventional photovoltaic system.

In our own project developments, we are free and unrestricted when it comes to marketing project rights and implementing the agriPV system. This offers scope for incorporating regional electricity suppliers, energy cooperatives or municipalities. And last but not least, farms and landowners are often interested in investing in agriPV systems on their own farmland.

The east-west orientation means that systems using the Next2Sun concept feed in power when conventional south-facing PV systems have low production levels. This greatly lightens the load on power networks, particularly at lower voltage levels. Next2Sun systems can therefore feed in power even in areas where networks are running at near capacity from wind and conventional PV systems. The feeding profile of the Next2Sun system matches the daily curve of the electricity price on the electricity exchange. This means that our system also directly benefits from market activity.

The typically lower electricity prices at midday and higher prices in the mornings and evenings mean that our systems using the Next2Sun concept achieve higher average revenue – we obtain market profits on the electricity market that are 5% to 10% higher than for conventional PV systems. Paired with higher yields, this means that the revenue per kW of installed system power increases by up to 25%.

The vertical, bifacial glass-glass modules are able to more effectively generate power from diffuse light (when skies are cloudy) than most monofacial modules. In addition, ground with a particularly high albedo (i.e. level of reflectivity) can offer even greater yields. Particularly bright substrates (such as snow) offer particularly high reflectivity.

The precise generation profile is dependent on numerous local parameters, making it impossible to state anything for certain. With our systems, we ensure that the generation profile suits the relevant requirements. In general, PV systems produce less electricity in the winter than in the summer as there are fewer hours of sunshine per day.

The feeding profile of the Next2Sun system matches the daily curve of the electricity price on the electricity exchange. This means that our system also directly benefits from market activity. The typically lower electricity prices at midday and higher prices in the mornings and evenings mean that our systems using the Next2Sun concept achieve higher average revenue – we obtain market profits on the electricity market that are 5% to 10% higher than for conventional PV systems.

The energy generated at the solar park is fed into the medium-voltage grid. The electricity is then distributed and consumed on a regional level. As electricity flows into the power grid from various generating plants, an electricity mix from various generation profiles comes through at every plug. A vertical, bifacial east-west system can primarily generate power in the mornings and evenings, thus increasing the proportion of renewable energy consumed locally compared with conventional south-facing solar power plants.

Our system hits peak power in the morning and evening, but still produces a certain yield in the middle of the day. If the grid connection point is completely at capacity, it will not be possible to connect a Next2Sun system unless it can be capped during midday hours. If the grid connection point is too overloaded for a conventional system, a Next2Sun system can still be connected.

EEG funding is generally possible if all the requirements are met. It therefore depends on the area covered and is checked in each individual case. The main criteria are:

• Less-favoured area under EU Directive 86/465/EEC
• Areas alongside railway lines, motorways, industrial zones
• Other less-favoured areas

The front sides of the module currently have an output of 465 W, whilst the reverse with its tailored HJT modules built in by us has 90% to 93% bifaciality and thus another 430 W of output. With custom products, bifaciality of up to 98% can be achieved. We currently only use HJT solar modules in our systems.

The expected absolute electricity yields depend on various geographical and also technical parameters at the site. The relative electricity yields per module installed may for example then be dependent on the module’s orientation, the module’s output, and other geographical conditions. Our projects include creating a yield forecast via a detailed simulation before a system is installed.

The stated service life of a Next2Sun system is 30-40 years. This means that it is longer-lasting than conventional south-facing ground-mounted PV systems (25-30 years).

At around 550-650 EUR per kW, these are only slightly higher than conventional systems. There are significant amortisation benefits from the higher electricity yields, better feed-in tariffs (approx. 0.3 ct/kWh more) and longer service life.