Researchers at the Faculty of Agriculture and Biotechnology at Bydgoszcz University of Technology have developed a mobile agro-photovoltaic system. This is an innovative solution to assist farms, primarily in crop production.

Stationary solar panels restrict the use of farmland to its original purpose. The invention of the Bydgoszcz scientists is a way of using all the land, without leaving the land devoid of crops for the benefit of the cells. The device was developed with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science.

The agrophotovoltaic (AgroPV) system consists of a 415kWh mobile installation using bifacial technology, two hybrid inverters, energy storage and PV modules equipped with optimisers. The entire installation system is self-propelled and fully automated, equipped with a 4 x 4 drive, GPS locators, cameras and mobile track control.

“The system is controlled remotely. Due to its mobility, it can be used in agricultural fields without excluding land for crop production as in the case of stationary installations. It allows simultaneous extraction of photovoltaic energy and its storage during crop vegetation,” says the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Biotechnology, author of the AgroPV project, Prof Anna Wenda-Piesik.

The mobile installation, made by Apply Engineering from Lublew Gdański, cost PLN 950,000. A team of scientists from the Faculty of Agriculture and Biotechnology will conduct research on its use in the cultivation of four plant species for consumption, feed and special purposes in a closed-loop system.

“Our scientists have been supporting rural development for many years through teaching and research activities. Farms need modern solutions, also in the area of renewable energy sources”, says Prof. Marek Adamski, Rector of the Bydgoszcz University of Technology.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński