ÖBB Launches Austria’s First Agro-Photovoltaic System: An Eco-Friendly Innovation with Solar Panels and Grazing Areas

Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) will begin operating Austria’s first agro-photovoltaic system in Talsdorf, located in the federal state of Carinthia, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

This unique project combines eco-friendly energy generation with practical aspects of livestock farming and biodiversity conservation.

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On an area of 14 hectares, there will be pastures for sheep and poultry, while 6 hectares will be covered with up to 19,000 solar panels. The expected annual energy output will be up to 16 GWh.

The energy produced by this photovoltaic system will power approximately 4,000 Railjet train trips on the Vienna—Villach route.

A notable feature of the project is that the generated electricity will be fed directly into the contact network without frequency conversion, eliminating losses.

Austrian Railways uses AC with a voltage of 15 kV and a frequency of 16.7 Hz.

Animals will be sheltered from the sun and precipitation under the solar panel structures.

Pile foundations are used for the installation of the panels, which will allow for the future dismantling of the structures without ecological damage.

The project aims to modernize and develop renewable energy sources.

ÖBB, along with partners, plans to increase the share of its own energy for train traction from 60% to 80%, and for other operational needs from 11% to 67%.

This will significantly reduce dependence on external energy sources and lessen the burden on national energy grids.

The project is set to invest 1.6 million euros by 2030.

Photo: ÖBB

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