Agrivoltaic projects combine farming and solar power

Agrivoltaic projects merge agricultural production with solar energy generation, aiming to optimize land use by producing both food and electricity. These projects require careful balancing of agricultural yields, electricity output, and financial returns to ensure sustainability and profitability.

Industry forum highlights key challenges

During the AgriVoltaics Industry Forum Europe 2026 in Bordeaux, industry participants discussed obstacles such as financing, regulatory frameworks, and adapting to the specific needs of farmers. Jochen Hauff, founder of Think Resiliency, emphasized that agrivoltaics will be essential in meeting future demands for both food and energy.

French farmer shares agrivoltaic experience

Julien Duthu, a farmer from Sombernon in the Côte-d'Or, described his experience with a 33 MWc agrivoltaic installation on arable land. His farm, located on a limestone plateau with thin soil, has seen a 30% drop in yields due to climate change. The project, completed in September 2023, reduces usable farmland by 22% but provides income compensation from Akuo covering 40% of his earnings per hectare.

Regulatory differences across Europe

Regulation poses a significant challenge for agrivoltaics in Europe. The European Commission allows member states to decide whether to support or restrict photovoltaic installations on agricultural land. In France, the APER law limits yield loss to 10%, while Germany requires at least 66% of the reference yield. Austria offers a 25% value reduction for solar installations on farmland but not for agrivoltaic projects maintaining agricultural use on at least 75% of the land.

Financing remains a major hurdle

Financing agrivoltaic projects is difficult for many farmers, despite recognizing their potential benefits. Demonstrating the ability to produce electricity while maintaining viable farming operations is crucial for securing investment. Rising interest rates, uncertain electricity revenues, and increased costs for diesel, fertilizers, and labor further complicate financial planning for these projects.

Integrating energy projects with farm modernization

Gerhard Metz, a German dairy farmer, emphasized the need to integrate energy projects with broader modernization efforts on farms. His agrivoltaic project became feasible when combined with the replacement of an old barn and the construction of a new building, showing how such projects can align with infrastructure upgrades.

Self-consumption and electrification challenges

Self-consumption of solar energy is growing in interest as a way to cut energy costs, but electrifying agricultural machinery remains a challenge. While electrification is easier for buildings and fixed equipment, tractors and mobile machines face barriers related to autonomy, power, cost, and the availability of suitable solutions.

Innovations in farming and electrification

Julien Larrère, an organic vegetable producer in Bordeaux, is exploring automation and new technologies, such as laser weeding systems. He noted that electrifying tractors is still complex for large farms, especially those operating over a wide area. Small electric tractors may handle nearby tasks, but their power and range may not meet all operational needs. Farmers generally agree that technological advancements are needed to better utilize the electricity generated by agrivoltaic installations.