CircularFarming.IN.NRW: SUNfarming Explores the Combination of Hydroponics and Agri-PV

The project aims to explore the potential of hydroponic farming under the specific conditions created by Agri-PV systems and to develop new approaches for resource-efficient and future-oriented agriculture. The focus is on the technical, agronomic and economic requirements that are essential for the successful integration of hydroponic systems into Agri-PV projects.
To achieve this, several demonstration systems will be installed and tested under real-life operating conditions. The knowledge gained will be used to develop a planning model that supports the design and implementation of hydroponic systems within Agri-PV installations.
The model will serve as a practical decision-making tool for project developers, farmers and other stakeholders. It will help assess which hydroponic systems are best suited to specific Agri-PV conditions and provide guidance for their efficient planning and operation.
Through this research project, SUNfarming is making another important contribution to the advancement of sustainable land-use concepts. The intelligent combination of Agri-PV and hydroponics opens up new opportunities for resource-efficient food production while simultaneously generating renewable energy.

The project was selected as part of the GreenEconomy.IN.NRW competition and is funded by the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the European Union through the ERDF/JTF Programme North Rhine-Westphalia.