Small footprint
A small wind turbine stands on a mast or foundation of a few square metres. The vertical LS Helix 3.0 has a diameter of 2.2 m and can also be mounted on buildings.
Agrivoltaics and wind power: one field, two harvests
Agrivoltaics combines farming and solar power on the same land: PV modules are mounted high above the crops or in rows between them, and cultivation continues. A wind turbine on the same site adds power at night, on cloudy days and in winter. Farms supply barns and buildings more evenly with their own power, using hardly any extra land.
WindSun: agrivoltaics and wind turbine in one system
With WindSun, LuvSide combines photovoltaics and the horizontal LS HuraKan 8.0 wind turbine on a shared, concrete-free lightweight foundation. The solar tubes are mounted 4.5 metres above ground, so the land below can be farmed without restrictions.
Rain and sunlight reach the ground through the gaps between the tubes, and the round surface protects crops from hail and heavy rain. In hot regions, the shade reduces soil drying.
- up to 28 kW rated power from sun and wind
- up to 145% energy yield per kWp compared with conventional PV
- concrete-free foundation that does not compact the soil
4.5 mmodule height – farming continues underneath
28 kWWindSun rated power from PV and wind turbine
145%energy yield per kWp vs. conventional PV (up to)
No concretelightweight foundation without soil sealing
Why wind complements agri PV
Agrivoltaic farming with wind: more own power, day and night
Solar produces at midday and in summer; wind often blows at night, in autumn and winter. That is exactly when many farms need power: for early-morning milking and milk cooling, for ventilation, lighting and heating in barns and greenhouses, and for drying and storage ventilation after harvest.
Together they produce a more even supply. Self-consumption rises, the battery can be smaller and the farm buys less expensive grid power. Read more about adding storage on our page wind solar hybrid system.
| Ground-mounted PV | Agrivoltaics | Agrivoltaics + wind turbine | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farming on the land | largely lost (grazing sometimes possible) | continues on most of the area | continues; the turbine needs only a few square metres |
| Generation | daytime, mainly summer | daytime, mainly summer | also at night, in autumn and winter |
| Self-consumption on the farm | limited to daytime loads | limited to daytime loads | higher thanks to a more even profile |
| Storage for 24-hour supply | large | large | smaller |
| EU farm subsidies (CAP, Germany) | usually lost | land stays partly eligible | as agrivoltaics |
| Investment per kWp | lowest | higher, depending on design | plus wind turbine – see wind turbine cost |
Land efficiency
Two harvests, hardly any land lost
Shared foundation
With WindSun, turbine and PV modules share one concrete-free lightweight foundation. The soil stays unsealed and is not compacted.
Farming comes first
Agrivoltaic systems are designed so that agricultural use keeps priority. The German standard DIN SPEC 91434 limits land loss to 10 or 15% depending on the design.
Self-consumption on the farm
Where a farm wind turbine makes a difference
Dairy & livestock
Milking, milk cooling, ventilation and feeding run around the clock – including when the PV system produces nothing.
Arable farming, drying & storage
Grain drying, storage ventilation and cold stores peak after harvest – in the windier season.
Fruit, vegetables & specialty crops
Elevated modules shade sensitive crops and protect them from hail and heavy rain.
Remote fields & irrigation
Pumps, livestock watering, electric fences and sensors far from the farm connection – as an off-grid system with battery.
Funding & regulations
Agrivoltaics funding and rules (example: Germany)
Rules for agrivoltaics differ by country and are changing. The points below give a general overview of the German framework and do not replace legal or funding advice.
- EU farm subsidies (CAP): in Germany, land with agrivoltaics that remains mainly in agricultural use stays eligible for direct payments; currently 85% of the area counts.
- Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG): agrivoltaics is treated as a "special solar installation" with its own conditions in the auctions. Terms are currently being revised – check the latest status.
- Planning law: smaller agrivoltaic systems linked to a farm enjoy simplified approval in rural areas. Small wind turbines may be permit-free or require a building permit, depending on state and height.
- Financing: the KfW 270 loan for renewable energy is open to farms; in other countries, check national rural energy programmes.
Systems for agriculture
Agrivoltaic and wind systems from LuvSide
LuvSide develops and builds small wind turbines in Ottobrunn near Munich. For farms we recommend, depending on land and demand, the complete WindSun system, the horizontal LS HuraKan 8.0 for open land or the vertical LS Helix 3.0 for farmyards with buildings.
More about vertical axis wind turbinesWindSun: Sun & wind power
Horizontal wind turbine & photovoltaics
- Nominal power: approx. 28 kW at 11 m/s
- Annual yield: depending on the PV module
- Rotor diameter: 6.0 m / PV = variable
- Scar height: 12.0 m
LS HuraKan 8.0
Horizontal wind power turbine
- Nominal power: 8.0 kW at 11 m/s
- Annual yield: approx. 12.000 kWh
- Rotor diameter: 6.0 m
- Hub height: 12.0 m
- ...
LS Helix 3.0
Vertical wind turbine
- Nominal power: 3.0 kW at 16m/s
- Annual yield: approx. 2.500 kWh
- Diameter: 2.2 m
- Height: 4.0 m
- ...
Guides
Wind power in agriculture
LuvSide News, Wind Turbines, WindyBlog
Small Wind Turbines in Agriculture (2026)
How small wind turbines combined with solar help farms cut energy costs, gain independence and keep power flowing at night and in winter – updated for 2026 with costs and agrivoltaics.
More info
LuvSide News, Wind Turbines, WindyBlog
Farm Wind Turbine Selection: 8-Step Guide
A step-by-step guide to choosing the right small wind turbine for your farm – from load profile and wind assessment to turbine type, sizing, 2026 costs, payback and permits.
More info
Application & Operation, Horizontal Wind Power, LuvSide News, Vertical Wind Power, Wind Energy, Wind Turbines, WindyBlog
How Wind Solar Hybrid Systems Cut Operating Costs
This article examines how combining wind turbines with solar panels creates cost synergies across fuel savings, maintenance reduction, optimized energy storage, and extended equipment lifespans—with practical guidance on system sizing, component selection, and implementation strategies that maximize return on investment.
More infoFAQ
Questions about agrivoltaics and wind
What is agrivoltaics?
Agrivoltaics (agri PV) means generating solar power on land that is farmed at the same time – for example with elevated modules above orchards or crops, or with vertical module rows that machines can drive between. Agriculture remains the main use of the land.
What is agrivoltaic farming?
Agrivoltaic farming is crop or livestock production under or between solar modules. The modules can shade sensitive crops and protect them from hail, while the farm produces its own electricity.
Can you combine wind turbines and solar panels on a farm?
Yes. Wind and sun complement each other: solar delivers during the day and in summer, wind often at night and in winter. LuvSide’s WindSun system combines PV modules 4.5 m above ground with the LS HuraKan 8.0 turbine on a shared foundation, for up to 28 kW rated power.
Is a farm wind turbine worth it?
A small farm wind turbine pays off mainly for farms that also need power at night and in winter – dairy, cooling or drying – and at sites with good wind. High self-consumption is key. Our guide Agricultural wind turbine selection walks through the steps.
How much land does a farm wind turbine need?
Only the footprint of its mast or foundation – a few square metres – plus setback distances to buildings and boundaries set by local building rules.
What does agrivoltaics cost?
There is no flat rate: design, module height, capacity per hectare and grid connection determine the price. Recent studies put the investment anywhere from a few percent to more than double that of a conventional ground-mounted PV plant. Typical figures for an added wind turbine are on our wind turbine cost page.
Is LuvSide an agrivoltaics manufacturer?
LuvSide has been developing and building small wind turbines in Ottobrunn near Munich since 2014. With WindSun we offer a system that combines PV modules with our LS HuraKan 8.0 wind turbine for dual use of farmland.
Agrivoltaics with wind for your farm?
Tell us about your land, crops and power demand. We assess wind conditions and permitting and propose the right system.
Private customer? Our distribution partners will be happy to advise you locally.
