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In Gaiselberg in the Weinviertel, Austria’s first grid-connected agri-photovoltaic system over grapevines (“Viti-PV”) has gone into operation. The 2,560 solar modules generate around 965,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. This corresponds to the average annual consumption of about 350 households and saves 342 tons of CO₂ according to the operator RWA. The system features an integrated battery storage. Installation began after the flowering phase in 2025.
Under the solar modules, the wineries Schödl and Schweighofer cultivate 4,500 vines of the varieties Weißburgunder, Grüner Veltliner, and Souvignier Gris. They are expected to yield around 5,000 liters of wine. Winemaker Herbert Schödl describes his first observations: “Particularly noticeable was the stronger development of the shoots and the longer green phase of the leaves in autumn. This suggests that the vines under the modules remain active longer and can store more reserves.” Winemaker Hannes Schweighofer says: “It will be interesting to see how the system affects drought stress and disease pressure. If the vines grow more evenly and ripening occurs more slowly, this could have a positive impact on the quality of the grapes and the wine, especially with increasing weather extremes.”
The Higher Federal Teaching Institute and the Federal Office for Wine and Fruit Growing Klosterneuburg are accompanying the project. They are investigating the effects of partial shading on growth, yield, and wine quality according to scientific criteria.
(al; Image: RWA)
More on the topic:
Côtes-du-Rhône bans photovoltaics in the vineyard
Back to the Future – Prof. Manfred Stoll on Viti-Photovoltaics
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