Agrivoltaics

Spain’s new agricultural decree allows land hosting solar arrays to qualify for Common Agricultural Policy payments if farming remains the primary activity.

Canadian researchers investigated how the transparency of cadmium telluride and crystalline silicon solar panels affects lettuce growth in agrivoltaic systems. They found that 69%–transparent silicon panels increased lettuce yield by 3.6%, whereas cadmium telluride panels led to a reduction in yield.

Zurich Group Germany has introduced a modular insurance product addressing crop, livestock, and equipment risks on land used for simultaneous farming and solar power generation.

Amendments to rules governing agrivoltaics in Czechia mean it will now be possible to deploy vertical agrivoltaics, or have installations on arable land if vegetables with high or very high labor intensity are grown at least once every three years.

An American research group has conducted a pilot workshop for agrivoltaics stakeholders in Arizona, including farmers, developers, government officials and indigenous leaders. A reflection paper offers some key takeaways for future public participation.

Vattenfall has commissioned a 76 MW agrivoltaic plant in Germany under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom AG.

Researches in Germany have created a comprehensive crop selection tool for agrivoltaics across more than 25 countries. The proposed matrix evaluates species-specific responses of 12 major crop types to shading, microclimate changes, and crop growth, while also assessing their water needs, shade tolerance, and space requirements.

Scientists in Canada studied romaine lettuce growth under cadmium telluride thin-film solar modules with varying transparency and photosynthetically active radiation, and found Germany’s regulatory framework most effective for maximizing agrivoltaic benefits.

Brazilian scientists have investigated the potential of agrivoltaics on sugarcane fields and have found this combination may provide benefits in terms of both agricultural and electricity yield. Their results showed that under certain conditions the sugarcane yield below the panels can be higher than that of plots without PV.

A research team from Temple University in Philadelphia analyzed the synergies and trade-offs of land conversion to agrivoltaics and other multi-use solar energy landscapes globally. They found that co-located solar systems should be specifically tailored in order to offer optimal performance and minimize negative impacts.