Integration of vertical solar power plants into a future German energy system

Abstract

In Germany's future energy system wind and solar power directly cover all electricity demand for more than half of the year. Typical inclined south facing PV modules produce a strong peak around noon on sunny days. In east-west facing vertical PV modules energy yield peaks are shifted towards morning and afternoon hours. Such systems can be applied in agri photovoltaic power plants with similar energy yield per installed capacity to conventional photovoltaic systems. While installed power per area is by a factor 4 to 5 smaller, dual land use with agriculture allows for a technical potential in the terawatt hours per year range, which is comparable to half of entire German primary energy demand. In a simulation model based on the programme EnergyPLAN for Germany 2030 with 80% CO₂ reduction related to 1990 the effect of different PV power plant orientations is investigated. In the model an optimum share of around 80% vertical PV systems is found without any electricity storages and 70% with electricity storage possibilities. It could be shown that vertical PV systems enable lower storage capacities or lower utilization of gas power plants. Without any storage options a reduction of the overall carbon dioxide emissions by up to 10.2 Mt/a is possible.