The benefits of agrivoltaics for farmers
Agrivoltaics consists in generating solar energy using photovoltaic panels while maintaining agricultural activity, in synergy on the same plot. This practice is regulated. It is growing thanks to new laws that aim to multiply solar energy production in France by five by 2050.
Why would an operator have an interest in hosting an agrivoltaics project on their agricultural land? What are the benefits he could derive from this on his farm?
>> To read : Agrivoltaics in France : what are the advantages for agriculture?
Optimizing areas and valorizing agricultural plots with agrivoltaics
The agricultural plots concerned by agrivoltaics are intended for agricultural production and the production of green energy, on the same surface and at the same time.
A double valorization of agricultural areas with agrivoltaics
Agrivoltaics activity supports both food and energy sovereignty. It generates a double valuation of agricultural land. On the one hand, the farmer continues to produce food crops, or to exploit meadows by mowing or grazing animals. On the other hand, photovoltaic panels produce solar energy.
Valorization of plots with low yield potential
The yield potentials of the plots are diverse on a farm. Problems with soil fertility (texture and structure) or the location of the area (lowland, drier slopes, etc.) are often the cause of lower productivity.
An agrivoltaic project, thanks to the production of renewable energy, can valorize these low-productive plots by increasing their economic interest.
Getting started to secure and diversify your agricultural income
On a farm, the diversification of activities provides additional remuneration and secures turnover. This is a very useful practice in a sector that suffers from significant climatic and economic hazards. The production of renewable energy is an interesting way for farmers, especially with agrivoltaics.
Farmer and producer of green energy to diversify his income
As part of diversification, most farms sell in short supply chains or process their products on site. Since 2010, more and more farms have also focused on the production of renewable energy. In 2020, 3.5% produced solar energy for sale compared to 0.5% ten years earlier (source INSEE, 2024 edition).
The revenues generated by agrivoltaics are predictable, fixed and long-term. They help the farmer to cover the fixed costs of his farm and to compensate for the instability of agricultural markets. It also makes it easier to get bank loans to invest in new agricultural equipment.
Access to CAP aid ensured with agrivoltaics
With agrivoltaics, the farmer receives financial aid from the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy), because the plot has an agricultural purpose. It must be governed by the provisions of a rural lease. It is sufficient to exclude the non-agricultural areas (SNA) necessary to support the photovoltaic panels.
Regarding PAC aid, non-productive spaces, such as grass strips between photovoltaic panels, can be declared in SIE (Areas of Ecological Interest).
A diversification that can make you want to innovate in agronomy
Some conventional farmers, eager to innovate, are embarking on agro-ecology or conservation agriculture. Agrivoltaics can be a trigger for these farmers.
In the case of bifacial solar panels, the establishment of plant cover provides advantages in terms of energy performance while promoting carbon storage and protecting agricultural soils. Their reflective power is in fact greater than that of bare ground. Energy is captured by bifacial panels and improves their energy efficiency.
Agrivoltaics protects crops and maintains animal welfare in extreme conditions
The agrivoltaic installation offers certain advantages in a context of climate change, as we have known it in recent years.
Solar panels: protect against climate stress
Photovoltaic panels act as protective barriers during summers that are too hot or winters that are too cold (frost). Crop stress, whether thermal, oxidative or hydrological, is limited. Regarding dry periods, ADEME has shown that water needs decrease by 20 to 30% under solar panels. Lower temperatures limit evapoperspiration and reduce water requirements under the panels.
In dry and hot periods, crops and farms are particularly protected thanks to the partial and rotating shade offered by photovoltaic shades. Some agrivoltaic solutions such as agricultural canopy and the cultural shade from TSE, a leader in agrivoltaics, can, under certain conditions, integrate an irrigation system.
>> To read : Agrivoltaics and water management : discover our exclusive guide created with Réussir
Physical protection against bad weather
The installations act as windbreaks. The animals that graze or the plants under the photovoltaic panels are protected from the weather (hail).
The technology is also developing with rotating panels integrating solar trackers. By following the course of the sun, the panels provide partial and rotating shade, beneficial to crops.
A strengthened legal framework to develop agrivoltaics and preserve agriculture
The APER law provides for certain provisions to ensure the sustainability of agrivoltaic projects. First of all, the areas must keep their agricultural vocation.
Moreover, agrivoltaics should not increase the price of agricultural land. The law specifies its compatibility with the rural lease. In concrete terms, the monthly compensation paid by the developer is partly due to the farmer, but also, where applicable, to the owner. This sharing of income between the farmer and the owner is essential to prevent the increase in land value from ending the lease.
>> To read : The regulatory framework for agrivoltaics to preserve French agriculture
Photovoltaic projects compatible with agriculture thanks to technological innovations
The installation of agrivoltaic solutions is compatible with agricultural production. The farmer continues to graze his animals there, but also to cultivate plants. In agroforestry, lines of plantations of shrub species are installed there. In the same way, in agrivoltaics, lines of solar panels can be installed alternately between crop strips. The agrivoltaic solution is designed to adapt to the chosen production method.
Today, all kinds of equipment are available: rotating, bifacial or vertical panels, but also rotating panels with integrated solar tracker. Structures with solar modules positioned at height are being developed to facilitate the passage of agricultural machinery. This is the case of the agricultural canopy of TSE, solar energy producer in France. There are also solutions adapted to viticulture and arboriculture.
>> To read: The agricultural canopy, an innovative agrivoltaic system
Launch an agrivoltaics project in France
Different financing options are available to farmers, whether it is concluding a lease with a developer, investing yourself, or even sharing costs within a cooperative.
Financing your agrivoltaics project thanks to the green energy developer
The financing of an agrivoltaic project is taken care of by a solar energy developer, in exchange for a lease on the plot. The farmer benefits from rent, without having to bear the installation costs. Some developers, like TSE, offer farmers an emphyteutic lease with rent, for 40 to 50 years. The fixed annual remuneration is calculated according to the installed capacity at the time of commissioning. It is accompanied by a variable portion indexed to the turnover of the agrivoltaic project.
Alternative investment solutions for agrivoltaic projects
Another solution is to invest as a farmer, to have full control of the project. But this is only possible on very small projects. The amounts are often significant. Combined solutions such as bank loans or investment loans can be useful. To alleviate the financial burden, the farmer mobilizes existing subsidies and public aid (ADEME, FEADER or local authorities). Farmers' cooperatives are also launching collective projects to share costs. They share the income from energy production. They already exist in France, in terms of agricultural methanization, for example.
Farmers involved in the energy transition
The farmer involved in an agrivoltaic project produces carbon-free energy. The source is solar, so renewable. It avoids the production of a similar quantity of energy based on fossil fuels, which emit CO2. In case of self-consumption, it also uses this energy instead of potentially carbon-based energy. In this way, it contributes to the energy transition and in particular to the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at the national level. It contributes to French energy sovereignty by producing energy that is green, local and available in short circuits.
Source
Transformations in agriculture and food consumption, INSEE, edition 2024.
