Visit by Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences to the SUNfarming Research and Development Center

The 25 students from the fields of horticulture and industrial engineering were accompanied by Prof. Thomas Rath and test engineer Olaf Melzer. The focus of the visit was on the question of how horticultural production can be realized under agrivoltaics (APV) - with a view to cultivation practice, yield potential and system efficiency. The excursion served as an introduction to the complex interactions between crop cultivation and photovoltaic systems.

The tour was led by SUNfarming founder Peter Schrum and the technical support team. During a tour of the two-hectare research facility, SUNfarming presented various agri-PV systems and the crops grown under them. In addition to technical production issues, business aspects such as investment models, funding conditions and land efficiency were also discussed.The students actively participated with specific questions - both on technical details and practical cultivation issues. They were particularly interested in the suitability of various crops for cultivation under partially shaded conditions and the requirements for irrigation techniques.

The feedback from Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences was consistently positive. The content and practical insights provided offer numerous starting points for future theses and joint research projects. Both the accompanying professors and the students showed great interest in more in-depth collaboration.