InterNET Ltd, a member of the OFRIM Group and operating through its Solar Energy Division, has engineered, integrated, and launched the first two agrivoltaics systems in Romania in June 2023. These pioneering systems synergistically combine dedicated photovoltaic systems with specific fruit crops. One system is tailored for strawberry cultivation, while the other is designed for raspberry and blackberry farming.
Thanks to the partnership between the Băneasa Fruit Growing Research and Development Station and InterNET SRL, an agrivoltaics system intended for the cultivation and research of strawberry crops was unveiled at the "Research in support of future fruit growing" event held at the Moara Domnească Experimental Base, Afumati city, Romania, on June 15, 2023. This unveiling was a significant milestone, marking a national and Southeast European premiere. The integrated system is expected to deliver significant improvements in strawberry crop productivity, resource optimization, especially water and electricity, and environmental impact reduction. Furthermore, it will supply both researchers and farmers with invaluable experimental data for refining the management of strawberry crops and other related shrub types such as raspberry and blackberry.
"Fruit farming supported by specialized photovoltaic systems is a viable, sustainable solution being embraced in countries like France, Germany, Spain, and the USA. This solution addresses the contemporary challenges in agriculture and energy. By merging electricity production and horticulture on the same land, we unlock novel opportunities for development and gain synergistic benefits in both sectors. I am convinced that Agrivoltaics will increasingly contribute to sustainable agriculture and clean energy production", stated Dr. Eng. Dragos Ofrim, Director of InterNET SRL.
This photovoltaic system, for the first time in Romania, uses two models of semi-transparent photovoltaic panels designed for AgriPV applications, with 49% transparency / 250Wp and 77% transparency / 115Wp. We have divided the experimental group into three zones based on shading degrees: semi-shading, light shading, and no shading. This division offers our clients the ability to conduct comprehensive studies on the correlation between shading levels, humidity, and temperature in each strawberry crop zone.
The photovoltaic system's structure includes a hybrid inverter that uses AI technology to optimize electricity production and consumption, along with current maintenance activities. It also incorporates an energy storage system, relying on solar batteries, essential for nighttime operations. Moreover, a custom command-and-control unit, developed and integrated by InterNET, includes a temperature and humidity monitoring system, IoT transducers, and automation components, enabling online monitoring and control of numerous parameters associated with strawberry crop cultivation. Thus, we have innovatively and efficiently combined horticulture and energy solutions with measurement and automation, with the goal of offering a comprehensive, high-performance, active, and modular solution to all researchers and farmers in Romania and Southeast Europe who are interested in this new technology.
The InterNET team is very excited about working with partners interested in their innovative integrated AgriPV systems. InterNET has available and can offer dedicated modular and flexible AgriPV applications for vineyards and fruit and vegetable production.
For more information:
InterNET Ltd
21, Comana str., RO-011273, District 1,
Bucharest, Romania
Mob.: +40.744.362.37
Email: [email protected], [email protected]