First EWS Sonnenfeld® for a sustainable energy future in Germany.
The Max Planck Institutes in Potsdam are striving for greater energy independence through a combination of energy-saving measures and the expansion of renewable energy. At the heart of these efforts is the implementation of an agri-photovoltaic system. As a result, the experimental fields of the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology are not only used to harvest crops, but also to generate clean electricity.
As the main contractor, EWS planned, supplied and installed the 944 kWp EWS Sonnenfeld Potsdam agri-PV system on a 6-metre cultivation width, with a 2-metre flower strip and solar collectors aligned along a north-south axis and equipped with tracking systems.
“Sustainability is of central importance to us. Our measures to reduce CO₂ emissions are not only an ecological contribution, but also safeguard our research against rising energy costs and potential supply bottlenecks,” explains Prof. Dr Ralph Bock, Director of the MPI for Molecular Plant Physiology.
Yield data for the EWS Sonnenfeld Potsdam
- 80% of the area used for scientific purposes
- Increase in biodiversity through flower strips covering 18% of the area
- Solar power generation on 2% of the area
- CO₂ savings of 10,800 tonnes over 30 years
