Fraunhofer ISE testing agrivoltaics on standard weather protection covers
Fraunhofer ISE and German weather protection specialist VOEN Vöhringer are testing an agrivoltaic system that uses existing crop cover structures to support solar modules, eliminating the need for a dedicated mounting system.
Multi-constraint modeling for agrivoltaics
Researchers at Cornell University in the U.S. have developed a novel optimization model for agrivoltaic site design and benefits, which was demonstrated using irrigation-optimization relative to economic and environmental goals.
V-shaped PV system for agrivoltaic applications
An Italian startup supported by a group of scientists is developing a V-shaped agrivoltaic system that can reportedly find optimal application with bifacial modules and single-axis tracking. The proposed system configuration is claimed to reduce land use by 24 % compared to conventional setups.
Italy launches second agrivoltaics tender
Italy has launched a second agrivoltaics tender, allocating €323 million ($348.4 million) in unused funds from the first round, which awarded 1.5 GW of capacity in December 2024. Developers have until June 30 to submit bids.
Six-year test field shows agrivoltaics can be critical for rice productivity
Scientists in Japan have conducted a field experiment in rice plantations hosting agrivoltaics systems and have found that rice growth can be affected by reduced biomass and reduced panicle number. However, their analysis has also shown that gross return in lowland rice agrivoltaics can be 14 times higher than rice growth without PV.
California fast-tracks solar-plus-storage project
California Governor Gavin Newsom has expedited BayWa re’s 300 MW Cornucopia Hybrid agrivoltaic project, streamlining judicial review and cutting permitting delays.
Cadmium telluride vs. crystalline silicon in agrivoltaics
Researchers in Canada have compared strawberry growth under uniform illumination from semi-transparent thin-film cadmium telluride panels and non-uniform illumination from semi-transparent crystalline silicon modules. Their analysis considered metrics such as fresh weight, height, leaf count, chlorophyll content, soil temperature and humidity.
Idemitsu Kosan invests in agrivoltaics
Idemitsu Kosan says it plans to start building a 2 MW agrivoltaics facility in Japan later this year, following the successful conclusion of a 45 kW pilot project. The company has developed a proprietary agrivoltaics system based on tracker technology.
Australian university testing 20 kW agrivoltaic system on vineyard
Australian renewables company Greenwood has installed 48 solar panels at the University of Melbourne’s Dookie Campus vineyard to aid research on how agrivoltaics affect crop yields.
Spain’s Acciona Energía to develop agrivoltaics over canal
The agrivoltaic project, with a production capacity of up to 5,011 MW, will cover 2 km of the Orellana Canal in Cáceres, western Spain.
