Ihringen am Kaiserstuhl, September 27, 2024 – A key milestone in sustainable agriculture:
Intech GmbH & Co. KG, together with its project partners, has officially inaugurated its Viti-Photovoltaic system as part of the RegioWIN flagship project “Viticulture 4.0.”
Developed in close collaboration with the State Institute of Viticulture (WBI) Freiburg, the pilot installation was completed in 2023 and now serves as a model project to explore the synergies between winegrowing and solar energy on the same land.
In August 2024, the first of three pilot systems was successfully commissioned.
Dual Use in Practice: 240 kWp on 0.4 Hectares
Located at the Blankenhornsberg site, the 0.4-hectare installation includes two different Viti-PV system types — designed not only to maximize solar yield but also to take into account the physiological needs of grapevines.
The 240 kWp system features:
- A fixed PV structure with semi-transparent modules
- An innovative solar tracking system with opaque modules that follow the sun’s path
The tracking system, developed by Intech, is continuously adapted in collaboration with the viticulture institute. During operation, key data such as tilt angle, solar irradiance, plant health, leaf and soil moisture, and all electrical system values are collected and used to optimize performance.
Photovoltaic System Above Grapevines in Ihringen
Smart Solar for Vineyards: Real-Time Responsiveness
“Thanks to real-time access and our tracking technology, we can react immediately to changing weather conditions — securing grape yields in close coordination with the institute,” says Christoph Vollmer, Managing Director of Intech GmbH & Co. KG. Constructed within just five months in a bird protection area and above existing vineyard rows, the system complies with all environmental regulations and is fully removable if required. Grid connection remains a challenge for Viti-PV.
“Not every field has power access. Even our 400-meter connection line was a significant cost factor,” explains Bettina Frank-Renz, Director of the Viticulture Institute.
Still, Martin Schweizer, Deputy Mayor of Ihringen, highlights the value of the project:
“This installation gives winemakers real perspective. It’s a beacon of hope for preserving our unique cultural landscape at the Kaiserstuhl.”
Promising Early Results
The vineyard team has now completed their second harvest season under PV modules.
Preliminary results are promising: partial shading delayed grape ripening, increasing acidity and ultimately improving wine quality.
Additional data is currently being evaluated by WBI researchers.
From an environmental perspective, the steel frame structure generated a carbon footprint of 41.19 metric tons, while the system itself enables annual CO₂ savings of around 150 metric tons.
The solar power produced is used on-site by autonomous electric equipment such as robotic caterpillar tractors — equivalent to powering around 160 households.
A Milestone in Sustainable Viticulture
This Viti-PV installation marks a major step toward climate-smart, resource-efficient agriculture.
The project is co-funded by the State of Baden-Württemberg and the European Union, and serves as a powerful example of how dual land use can shape the future of farming and energy production.
About Intech GmbH & Co. KG
For over 25 years, Intech GmbH & Co. KG has been a pioneer in solar energy solutions, driving the real-world viability of renewable power systems.
From off-grid energy independence to floating and agrivoltaic systems, Intech delivers tailored PV solutions for rooftops, water surfaces, and farmland.
With the development of Agri- and Viti-PV technologies, the company actively supports climate-friendly agriculture and sustainable land use.
