Agrivoltaism

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Photovoltaics for agriculture.

What is agrivoltaism?

Photovoltaic installations are characterized “ agrivoltaic » when they contribute sustainably to the establishment, maintenance or development of agricultural production and provide a service : improvement of agronomic potential and impact, adaptation to climate change, protection against hazards, improvement of animal welfare. 

Our approach: working hand in hand with farmers.​

From the reflection around the need to the implementation of the project, then throughout the duration of its operation until dismantling, EDF Renewables works with owners and operators, farmers' collectives, the communities, associations And residents to develop projects that correspond to the problems as well as agricultural and territorial issues.

Did you know ? EDF Renewables is a member of the French Federation of Agrivoltaic Producers (FFPA) and has been elected to the board of directors since 2023.
EDF Renewables is also a signatory of a joint charter with the FNSEA and Chambers of Agriculture France.

Summary

The benefits for a farm

Protect crops and improve animal welfare while providing additional income.

Reconciling agricultural production and renewable energy.

Support your territory in its energy transition and economic development.

Innovating in the service of agricultural issues

EDF Renewables invests daily in research alongside the Research & Development Department of the EDF group, agronomy experts and agricultural professionals. Through several agrivoltaic demonstrators in France, we study the effects of solar panels on different crops, in order to identify best agronomic, technological and economic practices.

Les Renardières: an agrivoltaic demonstrator for alfalfa cultivation.

The Renardières demonstrator, located on the EDF Lab research site, studies the effects of the photovoltaic installation on the cultivation of alfalfa. After three years of feedback, promising results have been obtained and tests are continuing on other plant crops in order to optimize the device.

ADELI: an agrivoltaic demonstrator adapted to rice fields.

Inaugurated in June 2023 in Beaucaire in
Gard, the ADELI demonstrator is studying
Leffects of panels on rice crops
in rotation with alfalfa, and aims to
validate an innovative structural concept
photovoltaic offering low
footprint.

Vitisolar: an agrivoltaic demonstrator adapted to vineyards.

From September 2023, the Vitisolar demonstrator, installed on the site of the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE) in Bordeaux, is studying the impacts ofa photovoltaic installation on the Merlot vines, in particular the protection of culture against climatic hazards.