#Germany #GCL SI #Agrivoltaics #Vattenfall #Tützpatz

GCL Powers Groundbreaking Agrivoltaic Project in Germany

In a significant milestone for sustainable energy, GCL System Integration (GCL SI) has played a pivotal role in Germany's largest agrivoltaic initiative, centered in Tützpatz, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. This innovative project, inaugurated by Vattenfall, boasts a remarkable installed capacity of 76 MW across a sprawling 93-hectare site, featuring an impressive array of 146,000 high-efficiency bifacial solar modules, each rated at 550 W.

A New Era of Sustainable Energy

As the key technological partner, GCL SI’s contributions extend well beyond merely supplying high-performance solar products. They have tailored solutions specifically designed for agrivoltaic applications, ensuring that the project not only generates renewable energy but also supports agricultural productivity. The success of this project comes without public funding, utilizing a 10-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with PASM, a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom, which guarantees the purchase of all electricity generated. This strategic move highlights GCL SI's resilience and adaptability in varied geographical and regulatory landscapes.

Perfecting Agri-Solar Synergy

With a clear development path and a diverse product portfolio aimed at agrivoltaics, GCL developed specially designed products that allow for adjustable light permeability ranging from 15% to 40%. This innovative feature enables precise balance between solar energy production and crop growth, showcasing the versatility of their dual-glass framing systems, which passed rigorous reliability tests including 1,000 hours of salt mist exposure and 500 hours of ammonia exposure. This ensures durability in humid and saline environments, making them suitable for intensive agricultural practices.

To further enhance land-use efficiency, GCL incorporates elevated mounting systems that stand 2.8 meters tall, paired with single-axis trackers. This combination allows for ‘machine-accessible and light-controlled’ layouts that optimize land utilization above 80%, paving the way for enhanced agricultural results.

Integrating Technology and Agriculture

On the technological front, GCL has developed a smart management platform for agrivoltaics. This comprehensive system integrates meteorological data, crop growth sensors, and inverter analytics, utilizing AI algorithms to optimize module tilting and irrigation schedules. In a noteworthy application, the 310 MW Zhundong project demonstrated a 20% increase in alfalfa yields while reducing irrigation needs by 15%. Similarly, the upgraded Jinzhai pilot in Anhui achieved a 30% rise in camellia seed yields and an 8% increase in solar energy efficiency, exemplifying the tangible benefits of these dual-purpose agricultural and energy projects.

Commitment to Sustainability

In line with global sustainability efforts, GCL SI formally committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) on August 21, 2025, dedicating itself to establishing short-term pathways to net-zero emissions in harmony with SBT methodologies. This commitment underscores GCL SI's responsibility and competitive edge in promoting sustainable practices and leadership in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles.

The company’s vertically integrated supply chain offers significant cost advantages. By leveraging its own granular silicon resources, GCL is able to reduce module costs by 8-12% compared to external purchases. Additionally, joint procurement with industry partners further reduces system costs by about 5%. GCL's engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) expertise also shortens project implementation times by approximately 20%, while lowering overall project costs by 10%. Such efficiencies have been validated across various projects in Guangxi, Xinjiang, and Anhui, which not only ensure high energy production efficiency but also support rural revitalization and local industrial value creation.

Future Endeavors

Looking ahead, GCL SI aims to cement its leadership in the agrivoltaics sector. Ongoing research into tandem modules using perovskite and silicon, designed for higher light permeability, seeks to further enhance the synergy between agriculture and solar energy production. Simultaneously, GCL accelerates the deployment of gigawatt-scale agrivoltaic projects in resource-rich regions such as southwestern and northwestern China. By merging photovoltaics, agriculture, and carbon emission monitoring into scalable models, GCL SI is on a mission to transform agricultural lands into productive ecological energy bases, contributing to both energy transition and agricultural modernization.