A Hungarian triple partnership develops solar integration of glass houses

It is starting to develop a range of solar panel products for greenhouses, which will be used to supply them with energy, in collaboration with the University of Pécs (PTE) using the Terrán Tetőcserép Gyártó Kft. (Terrán) and Solar-Napelem Kft. solar panel product line for greenhouses in collaboration with the University of Pécs (PTE), according to a statement from the association.

As they write, the two-year programme, supported by the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund (NRDI) with HUF 310 million, will result in

They are developing solar modules to be mounted on the roofs of glass houses. The solar panels can be installed on existing greenhouses or be built into new greenhouses, either movable or fixed

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Shade and heat at the same time

The new range is expected to reduce energy costs and dependence on fossil fuels while improving crop yields through the shading effect of solar panels.

The project will be tested in a real environment: in the botanical gardens of the PTE, they will test which of the different product types are suitable for different building structures and the different shading needs of the crops.

Predict which plants need shade in a given microclimate

The solar modules will be subjected to long-term testing, standard climate chamber and accelerated ageing tests, and building energy simulation in a real-world environment. During this time, both electrical, climatic and lighting data are recorded and adaptive control technology is developed.

As a result of the development, potential customers will be presented with values such as the variability of the products, which allows adaptation to different types of structures and can also meet the different shading needs of the crops grown.

Production would start next year

Arpád Jankó, director of the Terrán division said that they plan to start testing the first product variants by the end of this year, and if the experience is positive, the first series production can start in the second half of 2026.

Among the reasons for the development, he said that the intensive farming of fruit and vegetables requires complex crop production technologies, which require a previously unimaginable complexity and amount of electromechanical equipment on farms, and this machinery and equipment requires significant amounts of electricity.

The amount of energy that can be generated depends largely on the design of the greenhouse and the crops grown, but it is estimated that 30-50% of the electricity required by each greenhouse can be generated by systems that can be supplemented with batteries.

They would also export to Western Europe after experience in neighbouring countries

Sales would start in Hungary and Central Europe, and after a few years the product range would be extended to the West of the continent. Taking into account the evolution of energy prices and the need for increasingly advanced crop production technologies, the project partners are confident that there will be a strong demand for the new products," the director said.