Nestlé builds Agri-PV plant in Biessenhofen, Germany

Nestlé Germany has initiated the construction of an Agri-Photovoltaic (Agri-PV) plant at its production site in Biessenhofen, Bavaria. The project aims to combine the generation of solar power for the factory's needs with a shaded pasture and shelter area for cattle.

Construction began in March 2024, with completion and commissioning planned for the second half of 2025. The 4.74-hectare facility will have an installed capacity of 4.5 megawatts, expected to cover approximately one-quarter of the plant's electricity consumption, equivalent to the annual usage of about 2,000 households. Nestlé is investing around 3 million euros in the project.

A unique aspect of the plant is its dual purpose. The land will be used for livestock farming, housing up to 65 cattle and calves, as well as for fodder production. The solar panels are designed with varying heights: two meters on the southern side to provide shade for adult cattle sensitive to heat, and 1.8 meters on the northern side for a "calf kindergarten" area. This setup is intended to improve animal welfare.

Nestlé Germany collaborated with local farmer Gerhard Metz to develop this hybrid model, integrating agricultural use with energy generation. BayWa r.e. is responsible for the project's realization. Nestlé is funding the Agri-PV plant's construction, while the farmer is investing in new barn facilities. The combined system complies with DIN SPEC 91434 standards for primary agricultural use in Agri-PV installations.

Farmers’ access to the land for hay production remains largely preserved due to the panel spacing. Jörg Schmitt highlighted the project's success in aligning business needs with animal welfare and environmental considerations. Farmer Metz emphasized the benefit of shade for the cows' health and quality of life, particularly during increasingly hot days.