Agrivoltaics, a definition regulated by law
The definition of agrivoltaics is regulated by law. It is a” electricity production installation using the sun's radiative energy and whose modules are located on an agricultural plot, where they contribute sustainably to the installation, maintenance or development of agricultural production ”.
Agricultural activity and renewable energy production therefore work in synergy. Agricultural land must not change its use, in order to maintain France's food sovereignty. By limiting their artificialization, agrivoltaics acts in the direction of biodiversity.
Agrivoltaics must provide services to agriculture
Since 2023, the law relating to the acceleration of renewable energy production (APER) has governed agrivoltaics. Objective: to guarantee sustainable agricultural activity.
To be qualified as agrivoltaics, an installation must provide at least one of the following services:
- the improvement of agronomic potential and impact,
- adaptation to climate change,
- protection against hazards,
the improvement of animal welfare.
An installation that significantly impairs one of these services (or limited to two of these services) cannot be qualified as agrivoltaics.
>> To read: The regulatory framework for agrivoltaics to preserve French agriculture
Biodiversity must be integrated into any agrivoltaic project
Biodiversity is defined by” all living beings, the ecosystems in which they live as well as the interactions of species with each other and with their environments ”.
Maintaining it requires limiting the artificialization of soils, maintaining natural habitats and mitigating environmental impacts. Biodiversity is an indispensable and mandatory component of any agrivoltaic project.
APER law : what are the obligations to protect biodiversity in an agrivoltaic project?
Article 20 of the APER law provides for the establishment of a renewable energy and biodiversity observatory. It was created in 2024. Its mission: “in particular, carry out an inventory of the knowledge of the impacts of renewable energies on biodiversity, soils and landscapes, of the means of evaluating these impacts and of ways of improving this knowledge.”
The observatory : mission and scope of action to preserve biodiversity
This observatory concerns only terrestrial renewable energies. Its mission is to summarise the knowledge available through existing studies and data on the impact of terrestrial renewable energies on biodiversity, soils and landscapes, and on the effectiveness of the avoidance, reduction and compensation (ERC) measures accompanying the development of these energies. The work of the observatory will be disseminated to the public and stakeholders such as associations and project developers.
Taking biodiversity into account in agrivoltaic projects
In the case of agrivoltaics, this observatory will be fed by the studies carried out and the data collected by the project developer. Under the French Environment Code, project developers are required to carry out an environmental impact assessment prior to the construction of an agrivoltaic installation, covering the following aspects :
- the construction work,
- the installation,
- the ancillary works,
- the various interventions in the natural environment and landscape.
What is the aim ? To determine whether the nature, location or size of the project is likely to have a significant impact on the environment or human health.
Environmental analysis
These analyses are carried out for each agrivoltaic project by a specialised, independent consultancy which, on the basis of bibliographical research and fauna and flora inventories carried out directly on the site, draws up an inventory and sets out the ERC measures adopted for the project.
Actions to reduce the ecological impact of the solar farm
If the design office identifies environmental impacts, it can propose measures to avoid, reduce and, if necessary, compensate for them (ERC method). These measures apply throughout the life of the project, both during the construction phase and during the operation of an agrivoltaic installation.
The ERC methodology establishes a hierarchy of biodiversity protection measures :
1. Avoid the negative impacts of the project by modifying it. For example, do not develop an agrivoltaic project in an area with a high ecological value.
2. Reduce impacts that cannot be avoided. For example, carry out the work outside sensitive periods for fauna or flora.
3. Compensate for residual impacts by offering something in return. For example, planting hedgerows.
These measures must be followed in order to take full account of biodiversity issues. They can be supplemented by other measures to increase their chances of success.
Environmental assessment of agricultural solar power projects : process and decisions
Agricultural solar power projects with a capacity of 300 kWp or more and a footprint of 4 hectares or less are submitted to the Préfet de Région who, after a case-by-case examination, decides whether or not to subject them to environmental assessment.
Projects whose impact on the environment is deemed significant by the Prefect of the Region are then subject to the environmental assessment process, which involves the preparation of an environmental impact assessment report (impact study) by the project owner, consultation, in particular with the environmental authority, which issues an opinion, and public consultation.
At the end of this process, and once all the opinions have been brought to its attention, the competent authority decides whether to issue authorisation for the construction of the agrivoltaic shading systems.
The effects of agrivoltaics on biodiversity
Numerous studies have demonstrated the positive impacts of shade on crops and livestock. However, the sector still lacks perspective on the concrete effects of agrivoltaics on biodiversity. Thus, few references exist to date.
The installation of photovoltaic panels on agricultural plots can influence biodiversity. Air and soil temperature conditions are changed, as well as the humidity level on agricultural plots. The impact on fauna and flora depends on the configuration of the site, its location and its initial condition.
Uncultivated strips under the solar panels
The farmer can valorize the uncultivated strips between the poles of the photovoltaic structures, to promote the presence of pollinating insects and crop auxiliaries. They can be considered as SIEs (areas of ecological interest) by the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy). Although there is no obligation, agrivoltaics is also an opportunity for farmers to experiment with new practices such as agro-ecology. This sustainable approach to agriculture focuses on the interaction between plants, animals, humans and their environment.
The establishment of intercultures can also be interesting in the context of agrivoltaics. In fact, the albedo (reflective power) of plant covers is higher than that of bare soils. Bi-facial panels can take advantage of this greater reflective power. Soil conservation practices, including permanent cover, are therefore interesting, especially since they limit erosion and promote biodiversity.
Agrivoltaics actors are committed to biodiversity
Some developers are strongly committed to preserve biodiversity. This requires both the quality of preliminary ecological studies and environmental assessments. Concrete actions can be implemented, such as partnerships with recognized actors. For example, TSE, a French leader in agrivoltaics and photovoltaics, has signed an agreement with the National Museum of Natural History and is a member of the WWF France Entrepreneurship for the Planet Club. The objective is to reinforce the consideration of biodiversity in company actions and thus reduce the impact on natural environments. At the same time, scientific data is collected to advance research.
Solar trackers, an asset for biodiversity in fallow lands
Agrivoltaic structures, in particular with solar trackers, offer advantages for fallow plots. For example, the solar fallow developed by TSE, protects these plots that are more exposed to climatic hazards. Equipped with a solar tracker, it offers plots rotating and partial shade favorable to the development of vegetation. The solar fallow land has a small footprint and a spaced location. Thus, it allows flora and fauna to develop without constraints and contributes to the maintenance of biodiversity.
Research, essential for combining agrivoltaics and biodiversity
Despite the precautions taken, the installation of an agrivoltaic structure necessarily has an impact on biodiversity during the construction phase. The objective of project developers is to limit its impact as much as possible during all phases: installation, operation and dismantling. To do this, it is essential to understand how biodiversity and agrivoltaics interact.
That is why, in recent years, research projects have been initiated. They analyze the effects of solar panels on various ecosystems: bird communities, wetlands, insect groups, or even the ecological impact of fences on wildlife and ecological continuity.
These studies will provide valuable insight into the levers to be mobilized to preserve biodiversity while developing solar energies, which are now essential in the ecological transition.
At the same time, INRAE* is involved in a National Research Programme on Agrivoltaics (PNR), of which TSE is a member. It aims to design sustainable and efficient agrivoltaic systems, thus ensuring their long-term economic and agronomic viability. Biodiversity is one of the 11 themes addressed.
*INRAE: National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment.
sourcing :
https://agriculture.gouv.fr/loi-relative-lacceleration-des-energies-renouvelables-un-cadre-pour-les-installations
https://www.notre-environnement.gouv.fr/themes/evaluation/article/l-evaluation-environnementale#Dans-quels-cas-l-evaluation-environnementale-doit-elle-etre-realisee-nbsp
https://www.inrae.fr/dossiers/agriculture-forets-sources-denergie/lagrivoltaisme-voie-lavenir?
