Exploring cutting-edge AgriPV innovations during site visits in Austria

On 18 November 2025, Lightsource bp conducted an in-depth series of site visits to pioneering agrivoltaics (AgriPV) projects across Austria, hosted by EWS and Burgenland Energie AG. The experience deepened our understanding of how solar energy and agriculture can sustainably coexist at scale. The team gained invaluable insights into equipment configurations, agronomic practices and the regulatory frameworks driving AgriPV success and large scale deployment in the region.

A key takeaway was Austria’s straightforward but effective AgriPV regulation, which requires maintaining active agricultural use with the solar plant footprint less than 25 percent of the land. This approach unlocks a 25 percent tariff bonus, approximately €72 per megawatt hour, incentivising a burgeoning pipeline of projects that balance renewable energy generation with productive farming.

Lightsource bp teams toured three notable sites:

• The 80MWp Gattendorf project, featuring Ideematec 2P trackers with 8-metre pitch and 2.5-metre clearance, currently at piling stage on a mixed-land farm.
• The 164MWp Wallern Tadten operating site, using Schletter 2P trackers on a windy terrain with innovative 1.8-metre embedment techniques applied through direct ramming and informed by wind tunnel testing.
• The 5MWp EWS Sonnenfeld experimental research station, which collaborates with Vienna University (BOKU) to trial various crop types and tracking configurations for maximised synergy between solar infrastructure and agriculture.

These visits highlighted the critical importance of early and continual farmer involvement. This engagement aligns project design with crop requirements, facilitates appropriate soil preparation and scheduling, and safeguards agricultural productivity throughout construction and operation.

These learnings from Austrian AgriPV pioneers provide Lightsource bp with practical knowledge and best practices to apply across our AgriPV pipeline worldwide. They reinforce our commitment to developing sustainable solar projects that respect agricultural heritage and enhance rural livelihoods.

This hands-on research remains a cornerstone of our strategy to drive innovation, promote dual land use, and accelerate the global energy transition.