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A recent survey by the Deutsche Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft e.V. (DLG), a renowned German agricultural society, highlights the growing interest and optimism among German farmers regarding agri-photovoltaics (Agri-PV). The findings, detailed in the report "Agri-Photovoltaics - Current Situation in Agriculture," reveal that Agri-PV is increasingly seen as a beneficial innovation, despite some economic and regulatory challenges.
The survey shows that two-thirds of farmers remain optimistic about the future, even in the face of high energy prices. This optimism aligns with their openness to risk-taking and innovation:
Farmers acknowledge several advantages of Agri-PV systems, particularly in improving agricultural outcomes:
While concerns about machinery compatibility exist, issues like shading effects and weather protection were deemed relatively minor by respondents.
Despite its farming benefits, Agri-PV faces skepticism from an economic standpoint:
In terms of energy production, many farmers showed a preference for feeding power into the grid. Businesses with high energy consumption, such as those in animal husbandry, displayed a greater interest in self-supply compared to arable farming enterprises.
While farmers generally understand the potential of Agri-PV systems, knowledge gaps remain:
Concerns also arise over land usage, particularly whether farmland can be restored to its original state after PV installations are removed.
Pilot projects demonstrating the coexistence of farming and electricity generation are crucial in building farmer confidence. Many arable farmers showed increased interest in Agri-PV after observing minimal disruption in pilot trials.
The DLG survey, conducted among 125 participants (78% full-time farmers), provided key insights:
The DLG survey underscores the growing recognition of Agri-PV as a transformative approach to modern farming. While economic and regulatory challenges persist, the demonstrated benefits in crop production, biodiversity, and wind erosion mitigation are undeniable. With clearer legal frameworks and successful pilot projects, Agri-PV adoption is poised to rise, driving sustainability and productivity in agriculture.
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