First Boku results for the 2024 harvest year at EWS Sonnenfeld in Bruck an der Leitha

As part of a three-year research project at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, on the EWS Sonnenfeld Bruck an der Leitha agri-PV pilot plant in Lower Austria, which was built in 2022, the researchers continued to collect and analyse data on various parameters in the second year with the aim of investigating the interactions between simultaneous solar power generation and agricultural use on one area.

The first results from the years 2023 and 2024 provide the following assessments:

Crop cultivation

The yield analysis of the 2024 winter wheat showed only slight differences between the cultivation widths of 6 and 9 metres, which were almost at the same level as the control. The 12 metre wide cultivation zone led to an increase in yield of around 10% compared to the non-partially shaded control area. There were no differences in terms of harvest maturity. All varieties could be harvested at the same time. The analyses on the quality of the winter wheat are still being carried out and will be evaluated in January 2025.

Microclimate

The sun catchers clearly had an insulating effect on soil temperatures. In winter, the soil under the panels was on average 0.3°C warmer, in midsummer up to 5°C cooler.

Management

The handling of all crop management measures (cultivating, sowing, fertilising, hoeing, tending, harvesting) was already much more efficient in the second year of cultivation. The driver already knew about bottlenecks and which harvesting machines to use from the first year of harvesting. The work went smoothly and quickly on all cultivation widths.

Conclusion after the second year of cultivation

• The winter wheat yielded up to 10% more on the 2024 cultivation areas than on the control area, which was not partially shaded.
• Based on experience, mechanised cultivation is problem-free and efficient.
• Results on the microclimate show that in extreme weather conditions, sun catchers with tracking and controllable PV modules can provide protection against severe cold and heat.