world’s largest Agri-Photovoltaic System Powers Swiss Tomato Greenhouse
a groundbreaking solar system is generating renewable energy within a tomato greenhouse in rütihof ag,switzerland. operators boast it is the world’s largest such installation in a greenhouse setting.
agri-photovoltaics: a smart solution
- the rütihof ag greenhouse demonstrates a sensible combination of agriculture and energy production.
- colored reflectors direct specific light waves to solar panels, optimizing energy capture.
- the system’s design, with its colorful reflectors, resembles an art installation.
key facts about the rütihof ag system
- the agri-photovoltaic system comprises 1,736 solar panels.
- the panels cover an area equivalent to 17 single-family houses.
- the system generates approximately 234 kilowatts of electricity.
how it works: filtering light for power and produce
the solar system employs advanced filter technology.light waves are selectively filtered and redirected to solar panels suspended from the greenhouse ceiling. this process ensures that plants receive the optimal light spectrum for photosynthesis.
plants primarily require red and blue light for photosynthesis, while green and infrared light are less essential. the system filters out these less-needed wavelengths, channeling them to the solar panels.
the filters are arranged in a concave manner, concentrating light and intensifying its impact on the photovoltaic panels by a factor of four. this results in a substantially higher energy yield compared to conventional sunlight exposure.
the result? the energy yield is significantly higher than with normal sunlight. and the hors-sol tomatoes still become red. there were no losses in the yield
,according to project representatives.
support and vision for the future
the canton of aargau has demonstrated its commitment to renewable energy by supporting the project with chf 50,000 as part of its solar initiative. government councilor markus dieth emphasized that agriculture and energy production can be combined sensibly.
dominik blaser, co-founder of voltiris, based in lausanne, described the project as a departure into a new future for the greenhouse operators.
voltiris has already installed 700 modules in twelve other greenhouse projects, including those in the basel area.
meier gemüse ag: a family tradition
meier gemüse ag, located in rütihof in reusstal, aargau, has been a family-run business since 1948. the company employs up to 50 people during peak harvest season and produces 1.5 million kilograms of tomatoes and one million cucumbers annually.
faq: agrivoltaics and the rütihof ag project
- what is agrivoltaics?
- agrivoltaics combines agriculture and solar energy production on the same land [[1]].
- how does the rütihof ag system work?
- it uses colored reflectors to filter light, directing specific wavelengths to solar panels while ensuring plants receive the light they need for photosynthesis.
- what are the benefits of this system?
- increased land-use efficiency,renewable energy production,and no yield losses for the tomatoes.
- who is involved in the project?
- meier gemüse ag, voltiris, and the canton of aargau.
the future of farming and energy
the rütihof ag project serves as a model for integrating renewable energy production into agricultural practices.as government councilor markus dieth stated, combining agriculture and energy production coudl be combined sensibly.
this innovative approach promises a more sustainable and efficient future for both sectors.
