Agri-PV brings benefits for farmers
The benefits of agri-PV span from crop protection, higher yields and increased profits for farmers to easier grid balancing and reduced curtailment of solar power.
Agri-PV, also known as agrivoltaics, involves the simultaneous cultivation of crops and production of solar electricity on the same land with a primary focus on food production. Solar panels are placed in a way that does not compete with the crops – either above crops that benefit from shading, like berries, or between crops to enable the use of farming machinery. In the latter case, any reduction in crop yields is offset by revenues from the sales of solar electricity.
Utilising agri-PV technology offers numerous benefits for crops as it can create a modified microclimate beneath the solar panels by altering factors like air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction and soil moisture. It shields crops from both excessive solar radiation and adverse weather conditions, such as hail, and promotes more efficient water usage, potentially reducing water consumption and stabilising yields during dry years. Furthermore, agri-PV helps farmers sustain their businesses and protects agricultural land from being converted into other uses, while supporting biodiversity and contributing to climate change mitigation through sustainable agricultural practices.
This is particularly important in Central Europe. The four countries cover 19% of the EU’s arable land and produce substantial volumes of certain crops – 20% of the bloc’s wheat, 29% of oats, 37% of rye and 57% of berries. This food production is now at risk due to declining financial conditions for farmers, the volatility of fertiliser prices and the impacts of climate change.