BayWa r.e. has commenced agricultural activities at the Alhendín solar park in southern Granada, Spain, integrating renewable energy production with agriculture and biodiversity initiatives. This 54 MWp flagship photovoltaic (PV) park, developed in collaboration with the VELUX Group under an innovative PPA agreement, began supplying electricity to the local grid in May. Alhendín features Spain’s first Agri-PV system, combining solar energy generation with agricultural production, while accommodating modern farming machinery between solar panel rows.
The park, equipped with over 85,000 solar panels across three PV technologies—fixed, tracking, and Agri-PV—produces 96.8 GWh of electricity annually, enough to power 24,700 households. Approximately 10% of the site is dedicated to agricultural use, with land left as is or seeded with chemical-free hay crops, harvested in spring by local farmers. This dual-purpose approach supports VELUX’s 100% renewable electricity target and aligns with its 2030 sustainability goals, marking a significant step towards advancing renewable energy and sustainable agriculture in Europe.
Rafael Esteban, Managing Director of BayWa r.e. in Spain, commented, said, “We are happy to see the pioneering concept of Solar Plant Symbiosis taking shape for our Alhendin project. Thanks to the partnerships with the Universidad de Córdoba and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, we have developed a bespoke site strategy that encompasses biodiversity and social integration. This means that, in addition to its Agri-PV capabilities, the solar park includes a comprehensive suite of social and environmental measures to enhance local biodiversity and foster community involvement. We plan to replicate this type of initiative in our upcoming projects we have under development.”
