Photovoltaics for agriculture

Hay drying in agriculture using in-roof photovoltaic systems – innovative and efficient

Whilst previous literature on the importance of solar technology for hay drying in haylofts has always focused on solar thermal energy – that is, air heated by solar collectors which is then used to further dry the hay that has been brought in –

In these scenarios, electricity from photovoltaic systems was used solely to power fans, blowers or control systems within the drying facility. Consequently, combined systems have so far consisted of a solar thermal system and a photovoltaic system.

It is time to rethink hay drying in a new way – leaner, more effective and more efficient, with a wide range of benefits.

In collaboration with Sepp Steinmüller, an innovative farmer from Oberaudorf in southern Bavaria, we at deSonna BIPV GmbH have developed a high-performance in-roof photovoltaic system for electricity generation and hay drying based on the Solrif system, and implemented it with partners from the roofing trade.

Find out more about this success story below.

Solrif in-roof photovoltaic solar systems on agricultural buildings open up new application scenarios with multiple benefits.

The in-roof photovoltaic system renders conventional roof tiles redundant

The Solrif in-roof photovoltaic system used here has proven itself for over 20 years, fits any pitched roof and provides weather protection. Furthermore – and this is where the first major benefit lies – it completely replaces the roof tiles. The in-roof photovoltaic system itself forms the roof covering. Thanks to the system’s high-quality components and the aluminium framing of the solar modules, the service life of the solar roof modules matches that of traditional tiles – patented, tested & certified.

The technology: more hot air generation for hay drying and cooler solar modules for even greater output.

The in-roof system also demonstrates its advantages from a technical perspective: thanks to seamless integration into the roof covering, a continuous pocket of warm air forms beneath the module surface, which can be extracted via a suitable ridge structure, aided by the principle of convection – a measure that would be difficult or impossible with a rooftop system. The in-roof solar system is thus an effective warm air collector.

The extraction of the warm air also benefits the photovoltaic system, which is cooled as a result and delivers even greater output. The system’s free waste heat is then fully available for drying hay at night.

Heat generation could also be further increased through special coatings and designs of the solar modules.

Wide range of modules – including options for hail resistance.

According to studies, the stronger and more intense hailstorms expected in the future mean that careful material selection is now more important than ever. This is because not only should preventing hail damage to the photovoltaic system be the top priority, but insurance companies are also increasingly demanding hail-resistant materials or, failing that, raising premiums and/or excesses.

We describe more about hail resistance and suitable modules in the article ‘The Solrif BC Full Black Series – The new solution for high hail resistance in integrated solar systems’. Further solar modules in other hail resistance classes are also available.

The impressive profitability of the complete system

The Solrif in-roof photovoltaic system, which combines electricity generation with hay drying, also sets new standards in terms of cost-effectiveness. This eliminates the costs of standard roof tiles and a separate solar collector system, as their functions are integrated into the Solrif in-roof system.

Together with the wide range of selected solar modules offering outstanding performance levels in deSonna’s portfolio, this results in an excellent overall economic balance.

Please feel free to discuss your project with us.
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