Faced with the challenges posed by climate change to the energy and agriculture sectors, and in response to the national objectives defined by the Multi-annual Energy Program (PPE) for the development of photovoltaic solar energy in France ( objective of 35.1 GW to 44 GW of installed capacity in 2028, for 10 GW in service today), , Chambers of Agriculture France, the FNSEA, organizations representing farmers, and EDF Renouvelables, developer and producer of solar and wind energy, signed this Tuesday, January 19, 2021, at the FNSEA headquarters, a charter of good practices to develop and better supervise the development of ground-based photovoltaic projects involving agricultural land within the territories.
This charter will encourage complementarities between agriculture and photovoltaic solar power in France. It will be monitored annually and the first projects to be developed will see the light of day by 2022.
View the charter in PDF format
The Charter signed today is the result of two years of analysis and consultation work between the French Chambers of Agriculture, the FNSEA and EDF Renouvelables to ensure reasoned development of photovoltaic solar energy, an essential component of the energy transition, in the agricultural world.
In order to guarantee the preservation of land and the sustainability of agricultural activity, EDF Renewables is committed to respecting a process supervised with the agricultural profession to develop its solar projects on agricultural land.
In collaboration with EDF Research & Development, EDF Renewables is working on various innovative technological solutions for solar installations in line with agricultural operating conditions: raised solar panels to allow the passage of agricultural machinery, mobile panels controlled by an intelligent system allowing their inclination to be adapted according to the sunlight needs of the plants, the weather conditions, and the nature of the soil, etc.
These innovative approaches will allow EDF Renewables to respond to the challenges of the energy transition and the EDF Group's Solar Plan, which aims to be one of the solar leaders in France with a target of 30 % market share by 2035.
“ The preservation of agricultural areas is a priority to address food, climate and generational renewal issues; objective defended by the Chambers of Agriculture in urban planning and the development of urban planning documents. Agricultural production activity must prevail wherever it can be maintained. This charter will therefore make it possible to examine on a case-by-case basis the relevance of collaboration between farmers and EDF Renewables and the Chambers of Agriculture will ensure that this development is carried out while respecting the primary activity of farmers. » Sébastien Windsor, president of the Chambers of Agriculture.
“This charter constitutes real progress: it makes it possible to structure the development of photovoltaics in France, while protecting agricultural land and its productive function. We hope that agrivoltaism as we understand it will put an end to conflicts of use by making agricultural work and sustainable electricity production compatible. We will be very careful to ensure that this diversification of farmers' income does not encroach on food production. This charter is a new demonstration of the major role that farmers play in the fight against climate change, by making them air conditioning agents. » Christiane Lambert, president of the FNSEA.
“EDF Renouvelables, a leading player in renewable energies, is proud to join forces and sign with representatives of the French agricultural sector, the FNSEA and the APCA a charter of good practices which will allow cooperation beneficial to all to meet the challenges environmental, agricultural and energy problems posed by climate change. This charter is the result of a historic relationship and a constructive dialogue between the signatories. This partnership is fully in line with our role of supporting territories towards the energy transition and it will allow us to progress in the objectives of the EDF Solar Plan, which aims to make the Group one of the leaders in solar energy in France, thanks in particular to responsible and concerted use of land. » Bruno Bensasson, Executive Director of the EDF group in charge of the Renewable Energy division and Chairman and CEO of EDF Renouvelables.
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About the French Chambers of Agriculture
The Chambers of Agriculture are present in each department and region and at the national level with the Permanent Assembly of Chambers of Agriculture. They contribute to the economic dynamism of their territory in a logic of sustainable development: development of farms, management of natural resources, preservation of the environment. They support farmers in their installation or development projects by providing them with effective assistance on technical, economic and administrative aspects. They are committed on a daily basis, alongside farmers, to the sustainable performance of agriculture and territories.
@ChambagriFrance
https://www.instagram.com/chambres_agriculture/?hl=fr
https://chambres-agriculture.fr/
Press contact: Iris Roze – Tel: 06 09 86 02 26 – iris.roze@apca.chambagri.fr
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About the FNSEA
The FNSEA, the leading French agricultural union, brings together all production from all regions. With 31 specialized associations (wheat, pork, lavender, horses, etc.), and nearly 212,000 members, it fights to support French farmers in their projects and find solutions to their difficulties. The FNSEA promotes innovation, innovation serving everyday life, for the sustainable development of Ferme France. The FNSEA network energizes local life, dialogues with citizens and defends each farmer on a daily basis.
www.fnsea.fr Twitter: @FNSEA
Press contact: Marion Fournier – Tel: 07 60 29 56 17 – marion.fournier@reseaufnsea.fr
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About EDF Renewables
EDF Renewables is an international leader in renewable electricity production with installed wind and solar capacity of 13.2 GW gross worldwide. Mainly present in Europe and North America, EDF Renewables continues its development by taking a position in promising emerging markets such as: Brazil, China, India, South Africa and the Middle East. Historically active in onshore wind power and photovoltaics, the Company is now strongly positioned in offshore wind power and new technologies such as energy storage. EDF Renewables ensures the development and construction of renewable energy projects as well as their operation and maintenance. EDF Renewables is a subsidiary of the EDF group.
For more information : www.edf-renouvelables.com/
Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/edf-renouvelables and on Twitter @EDF_RE in French and @EDF_Renewables in English.
Press contact: Manon de Cassini-Hérail – Tel: +33 (0)1 40 90 48 22 – manon.decassini-herail@edf-re.fr