European agricultural photovoltaic power generation and energy storage project

Can photovoltaics be used for crop farming?

Photovoltaics (PV) has emerged as a preferable renewable energy source. However, PV parks are installed on land areas, restricting the available land for crop farming. The EU-funded HyPErFarm project proposes the use of combined agrivoltaic systems that allow food production to continue on land used by PV parks.

How can agrivoltaics help a climate neutral Europe?

Likewise, greenhouses can be made of semi-transparent PV panels. Agrivoltaics can help alleviate concerns about land competition between solar panels and farming activities, while supporting policies related to energy transition, agriculture, the environment and biodiversity in the EU's pursuit of the targets for a climate neutral Europe.

Could agrivoltaics help the EU achieve 720 GW direct current?

Combining farming and solar photovoltaic electricity production – known as agrivoltaics - on a mere 1% of EU utilised agricultural area (UAA) could help to surpass the EU’s 2030 targets - 720 GW direct current - for solar energy generation.

What are agrivoltaic systems?

Agrivoltaic systems, which combine solar power generation with agricultural practices, offer a promising solution to the growing demand for both renewable energy and food production.

What is the EU solar energy strategy?

To overcome these barriers, the EU Solar Energy Strategy encourages EU countries to integrate incentives for agrivoltaics, as appropriate, when designing and implementing their common agricultural policy (CAP) national strategic plans.

Can agrivoltaics improve land use?

As the energy transition accelerates and climate challenges intensify, agrivoltaics offers a promising solution for optimising land use by combining agriculture with solar power generation.