Glossary

Agri-PV Glossary

From A for Agri-Photovoltaics to Z for Zuschlagswert: All technical terms explained clearly.

A

Agri-PV (Agri-Photovoltaics)

Combination of agriculture and solar power generation on the same land area.

Technology

Albedo

Reflectivity of a surface, important for bifacial modules.

Technology

B

Battery Storage System

Energy storage for PV power to increase self-consumption.

Technology

Bifacial Modules

Solar modules that generate electricity on both the front and rear sides.

Technology

Binding Land-Use Plan (B-Plan)

Binding municipal development plan defining permitted land use.

Law

Biodiversity (Agri-PV)

Species diversity of plants and animals on Agri-PV land.

Agriculture

C

CAP (Common Agricultural Policy)

EU agricultural policy governing direct payments to farmers.

Law

Capital Expenditure (CAPEX)

One-time costs for planning, materials, and construction of the Agri-PV system.

Economics

Coupled Operation

Simultaneous use of an area for agriculture and energy generation.

Technology

D

DIN SPEC 91434

Technical pre-standard that defines agri-PV and distinguishes it from ground-mounted PV.

Technology

Decommissioning Obligation

Duty to fully remove the installation and restore the land after operation ends.

Law

Direct Marketing

Selling generated electricity directly on the power market via a direct marketer.

Economics

E

EEG (Renewable Energy Sources Act)

Central support legislation for renewable energies in Germany.

Law

Economic Feasibility Study

Comprehensive analysis of all costs and revenues over the project lifetime.

Economics

Elevated Mounting

Raised mounting of PV modules to allow agricultural use underneath.

Technology

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Legally required assessment of environmental effects before approval.

Law

F

Feed-in Tariff

Guaranteed payment per kWh for solar electricity fed into the grid.

Law

Funding Programmes

Government grants and subsidized loans for Agri-PV projects.

Economics

G

GAEC (Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition)

EU standards for soil protection and minimum ecological maintenance.

Law

Grassland / Permanent Grassland

Meadows and pastures that remain protected under Agri-PV installations.

Agriculture

Grazing (Agri-PV)

Livestock grazing (sheep, poultry) under and between PV modules.

Agriculture

Grid Connection Point

Interface between the PV system and the public power grid.

Technology

Ground-Nesting Bird Protection

Measures to protect ground-nesting birds in Agri-PV installations.

I

Intercropping / Strip Farming

Alternating rows of PV modules and crop strips on the same area.

Technology

Inverter

Converts DC power from modules into grid-compatible AC power.

Technology

L

LCOE (Levelized Cost of Electricity)

Total cost of electricity generation per kWh over the system lifetime.

Economics

Lease Agreement

Long-term contract between landowner and system operator.

Law

Light Management

Controlling light distribution between PV modules and crops.

Technology

M

Market Premium

EEG compensating payment for direct marketing of solar electricity.

Economics

Microclimate Effect

Altered temperature, humidity, and wind conditions beneath PV modules.

Technology

Module Tilt

Angle of solar modules relative to the horizontal surface.

Technology

Monitoring System

Real-time surveillance of system performance, weather, and crop growth.

Technology

O

Operating Expenditure (OPEX)

Annual recurring costs for maintenance, lease, and insurance.

Economics

P

PPA (Power Purchase Agreement)

Long-term power purchase contract between generator and off-taker.

Economics

Preparatory Land-Use Plan (FNP)

Overarching municipal plan for land use across the entire territory.

Law

Privileged Status (§ 35 BauGB)

Special planning permission for certain projects in rural areas.

Law

R

Return / IRR

Internal Rate of Return of the project over its lifetime.

Economics

S

Self-Consumption

Using self-generated electricity on-site instead of feeding it into the grid.

Economics

Semi-Transparent Modules

Partially translucent solar modules allowing light to reach crops below.

Technology

Shade-Tolerant Crops

Plant species that thrive under partial shading from PV modules.

Agriculture

Soil Quality / Soil Value

Fertility and productivity of soil under Agri-PV installations.

Agriculture

Specialty Crops

High-value crops such as berries, fruit, wine or hops.

Agriculture

T

Tracking System (Tracker)

Single- or dual-axis system that follows the sun to optimize PV yield.

Technology

V

Vertical Agri-PV

Vertically mounted bifacial modules in east-west orientation.

Technology

Z

Zuschlagswert

Der Wert in ct/kWh, den ein Projekt bei einer EEG-Ausschreibung anbietet. Der niedrigste Zuschlagswert gewinnt den Zuschlag.

Economics