Burgenland brings 86-megawatt agri-PV plant online

A new agri-photovoltaic plant has begun operating in Gattendorf, with a capacity of 86 megawatts, ORF reported. Burgenland Energie says its 138,000 solar panels will generate more than 100 gigawatt-hours of electricity a year.

The panels are installed five metres above the ground, leaving the grass between them available for agricultural use. The plant uses tracking systems that automatically turn the panels to follow the sun from sunrise to sunset. Burgenland Energie chief executive Stephan Sharma said this would increase electricity generation by 10 per cent.

The company is using the grid connection of wind parks in Potzneusiedl, Kittsee and Neudorf for the new plant. Burgenland is aiming to become energy-independent by 2030. State governor Hans Peter Doskozil said the plant would help provide price stability and independence in the years ahead.