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Agri-PV approved? Overcoming challenges in the Agri-PV approval process in Bavaria, Germany

Bleher, Lucas Benjamin LU (2025) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20251
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
Agri-PV is a promising socio-technical innovation increasingly being deployed in Bavaria and Germany. However, institutional challenges in the approval process hinder process standardization and effective deployment. Using a qualitative research design and the three-pillar framework of institutions, this study investigates the approval process of Agri-PV in Bavaria. 17 semi-structured interviews were conducted with municipalities, district-level authorities, farmers, developers, intermediaries and energy cooperatives. The identified challenges include knowledge gaps and unclear legal requirements, particularly regarding compensation areas, reference yields, certification according to the DIN SPEC 91434 and privileging. Some municipalities... (More)
Agri-PV is a promising socio-technical innovation increasingly being deployed in Bavaria and Germany. However, institutional challenges in the approval process hinder process standardization and effective deployment. Using a qualitative research design and the three-pillar framework of institutions, this study investigates the approval process of Agri-PV in Bavaria. 17 semi-structured interviews were conducted with municipalities, district-level authorities, farmers, developers, intermediaries and energy cooperatives. The identified challenges include knowledge gaps and unclear legal requirements, particularly regarding compensation areas, reference yields, certification according to the DIN SPEC 91434 and privileging. Some municipalities fear rising lease prices or are not yet convinced by the concept. Nature conservation authorities emphasise site selection, balancing nature and climate protection, while agricultural authorities see conflicts of interest between the sustainability transition and industrial agriculture. Practical implications include further expansion of criteria catalogues and existing guidelines, sharpening of legal terms and scientific monitoring of the market deployment to close knowledge gaps. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Bleher, Lucas Benjamin LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Agri-PV, approval process, institutions, stakeholder collaboration, sustainability science
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2025:024
language
English
id
9195594
date added to LUP
2025-06-10 13:13:29
date last changed
2025-06-18 09:12:21
@misc{9195594,
  abstract     = {{Agri-PV is a promising socio-technical innovation increasingly being deployed in Bavaria and Germany. However, institutional challenges in the approval process hinder process standardization and effective deployment. Using a qualitative research design and the three-pillar framework of institutions, this study investigates the approval process of Agri-PV in Bavaria. 17 semi-structured interviews were conducted with municipalities, district-level authorities, farmers, developers, intermediaries and energy cooperatives. The identified challenges include knowledge gaps and unclear legal requirements, particularly regarding compensation areas, reference yields, certification according to the DIN SPEC 91434 and privileging. Some municipalities fear rising lease prices or are not yet convinced by the concept. Nature conservation authorities emphasise site selection, balancing nature and climate protection, while agricultural authorities see conflicts of interest between the sustainability transition and industrial agriculture. Practical implications include further expansion of criteria catalogues and existing guidelines, sharpening of legal terms and scientific monitoring of the market deployment to close knowledge gaps.}},
  author       = {{Bleher, Lucas Benjamin}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{Agri-PV approved? Overcoming challenges in the Agri-PV approval process in Bavaria, Germany}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}