SUNfarming GmbH, a Berlin-based company with interests in renewable energy development and utility-scale Agrivoltaics (Agri-PV) installations, exhibited its offerings targeting the European market at the recent Intersolar Europe 2025.
On a visit to the company’s booth during the event, the TaiyangNews team gained some insights into SUNfarming’s latest offerings, particularly in the Agrivoltaics segment. Peter Schrum, Chairman of SUNfarming GmbH, shed some light on its diverse Agrivoltaics offerings and the company’s journey so far.
Decades-Old Journey
Started 20 years ago, particularly in the African market, the company’s agrivoltaics business model – based on the dual-use concept of renewable power generation combined with either vegetable cultivation or animal farming beneath the panels – has since expanded into the German market, says Schrum.
Initially, there was no real market for agrivoltaics, and the specialized glass-glass solar panels with light transmissivity required for such installations were prohibitively expensive. However, with increasing commercialization, the cost of agrivoltaics solutions has dropped significantly. “Today, it is highly economically feasible to build even in Germany,” stressed Schrum.
Despite this progress, he expressed skepticism about global adoption. He believes that while farmers may embrace the dual-use concept, some mayors and governments might dismiss it as a passing trend. For island nations like Mauritius, he said agrivoltaics is essential, while for a country like India, it offers major advantages in protecting crops or animals beneath the panels from sun, rain, and hail.
Agrivoltaics Solutions
SUNfarming’s agrivoltaics solutions span a wide range of applications, including traditional agri-photovoltaics, animal welfare systems, moorland photovoltaics, umbrella systems for fruit and wine cultivation, and vegetable farming.
As an Agri-PV service provider, SUNfarming invests in and operates its own systems after leasing land from property owners and obtaining the necessary approvals from local municipalities. According to the company’s datasheet, its systems deliver high energy output and competitive lease payments per hectare, comparable to those of traditional ground-mounted PV projects.
The company’s systems are equipped with highly durable glass-glass modules that offer light permeability and can withstand hailstorms up to Class 5, with a service life of up to 50 years. With adequate height, a working width of 3 meters between rows, and integrated rainwater harvesting, the system supports the growth of pasture fodder, specialty crops, catch crops, and more.
The benefits of this system can be summarized under multiple categories – land use efficiency (dual use of same land, optimizes the availability of land), resource conservation (reduction of environmental impact by generating RE power in agriculture), income diversification (additional income for farmers from solar energy), reduction of water evaporation (shadows of modules prevent evaporation water for agriculture).
SUNfarming’s Animal Welfare System enables year-round outdoor housing for cattle, suckler cows, and poultry, offering protection from weather and predators.
The company’s Moorland Photovoltaics (or Peatland PV) solution transforms peatlands into pastureland. The shading effect of overhead PV modules promotes stronger vegetation growth by retaining soil moisture and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The SUNfarming Umbrella System provides renewable power alongside fruit cultivation for winemaking. In partnership with another company, SUNfarming offers a turnkey solution that integrates hail nets, bird nets, and insect protection. This eco-friendly system, compliant with Germany’s DIN SPEC 91434 regulation, also qualifies for higher EEG remuneration.
Finally, SUNfarming offers an agrivoltaics solution for vegetable cultivation, which can replace traditional foil tunnels, particularly for crops such as tomatoes.
