Next-level Agri-PV: Vertical Triple-module Stack for Future-ready Farming

Vertical bifacial (VB) agrivoltaic (APV) systems represent a promising dual-use concept that enables the simultaneous production of food and renewable energy. This study examines the technical, agricultural, and energy-economic performance of Next2Sun’s vertical Agri-PV system. Moreover, a particular showcase from the world's first 3-modulestack vertical Agri-Solar Park Löffingen (4.3 MWp, Germany) is provided. Several agronomic advantages of the VB System are highlighted such as uniform light and rain distribution, reduced wind speeds, and minimized shading, which result in high land usability and preserved crop cultivation between module rows. First agricultural results from comparable European installations indicate stable or even enhanced crop yields for wheat, barley, and millet, provided that soil compaction from construction is mitigated. Microclimatic analyses show typical light availability of around 80% at the Löffingen spacing (13.5 m), wind speed reductions of ~50%, and homogenized rain distribution. These factors collectively decrease evapotranspiration by 5–40%, while increasing water availability for crops - an advantage under rising climate stress. The east–west oriented bifacial design further supports a demand-oriented electricity generation profile, improved grid integration, and less negative market-price hours. Early electrical performance data from 2025 demonstrate that the vertical east–west system already outperforms the conventional south-oriented PV section in energy yield and revenue per MWh. The data also indicates that vertical generation profiles are less affected by curtailment due to their broader and more market-aligned output. An optional battery storage further increases revenue potential by shifting energy into high-price periods. Overall, the Löffingen case confirms that VB-APV systems can enable profitable renewable electricity generation while maintaining full agricultural productivity.