TSE and Nexio Research Barometer - Agrivoltaics in Local Areas: Perceptions and Challenges for the Agricultural Sector, Elected Officials, and Citizens

Key findings from the barometer

• A topic now well-known in the agricultural sector: 98% of farmers and 99% of agricultural advisors are familiar with agrivoltaics.  
• Nearly one in two farmers already has an agrivoltaic project or plans to get involved in the future.
• Benefits recognized by all surveyed groups: diversification of agricultural income, energy autonomy for regions, and adaptation to climate change.
• A largely positive perception of agrivoltaics in local communities: 79% of citizens and 83% of mayors have a positive image of agrivoltaics.
• Strong support in local communities: 72% of citizens and 84% of mayors are in favor of an agrivoltaic project being installed in their municipality.
• In municipalities already hosting an agrivoltaic project, 95% of the mayors concerned believe its impact on the area is or will be positive.

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For its agrivoltaics barometer, TSE gives a voice to local stakeholders

TSE, a leading player in agrivoltaics, is publishing the results of a new barometer dedicated to agrivoltaics in local communities. This opinion study was conducted by the Nexio Research institute from February 11 to March 23, 2026, among a sample of 1155 people*.  

Conducted among farmers, agricultural advisors, mayors, and citizens, this study highlights a largely positive perception of agrivoltaics, provided it remains at the service of agriculture and local communities. Contributing to France's energy autonomy is among the main benefits associated with agrivoltaics for all surveyed groups.

Agrivoltaics appeals to the agricultural sector

The topic now enjoys high recognition in the agricultural sector:

• 98% of farmers and 99% of agricultural advisors report having already heard of agrivoltaics,  
• more than one in two respondents believe they have a good understanding of the subject.

The study also reveals a long-term interest trend:

• nearly one in two farmers already has an agrivoltaic project or plans to get involved in the future,
• one in two agricultural advisors believes the topic will be discussed more frequently in their conversations with farmers over the next five years.

Positive image and strong support from elected officials and citizens

The barometer also highlights strong local acceptance of agrivoltaic projects:

• 79% of citizens and 83% of mayors have a positive view of agrivoltaics,  
• 72% of citizens and 84% of mayors are in favor of a project being installed in their municipality.

In municipalities already hosting a project, the perception is particularly positive:

• 95% of the mayors involved believe that the impact on their local area is or will be positive.

Recognized Benefits 

All stakeholders surveyed agree that the diversification of agricultural income is a major benefit of agrivoltaics, followed by its contribution to the energy sovereignty of regions. The agricultural sector also highlights its role in protecting crops and animals from climate change.  

Citizens, for their part, emphasize the possibility of benefiting from "cheap electricity supply" (56%), while mayors highlight the importance of the revenue generated for local authorities (43%).

Strong Expectations for Project Quality

The study shows that acceptance is based on several essential conditions:

• preserving the agricultural purpose of the land and respecting existing agricultural practices,
• ensuring good landscape integration,
• allowing residents and local authorities to benefit from reduced-price electricity.

Concerns differ depending on the profiles surveyed:

• farmers and agricultural advisors primarily mention technical operational constraints and the risk of abandoning agricultural production in favor of electricity production,
• citizens and elected officials express greater vigilance regarding the impact of projects on the living environment.

Although agrivoltaics now benefits from a regulatory framework, the stakeholders surveyed consider administrative procedures too complex and deadlines too long: a finding shared by 95% of farmers, 93% of agricultural advisors, and 85% of mayors.

Mathieu Debonnet, President of TSE, states:

"TSE embraced agrivoltaics very early on. We anticipated regulations with a very clear quality approach. Co-construction with farmers allows us to meet their needs as much as possible and, in particular, to limit their technical constraints through thoughtful co-activity. Agrivoltaics is one solution, among others, to support farmers in their daily lives, and they state this in the study. It is also an opportunity for France to rapidly produce cheap, decarbonized electricity.

This study presents concrete results, far removed from ideological debates. Agrivoltaics is valued by farmers; one in two wants to get involved. Mayors hosting a project validate the positive aspects of this agroclimatic technology while highlighting the importance of local energy production for the development of their region."

> Discover the detailed study results.

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*Opinion study conducted by Nexio Research from 11/02 to 23/03/26 among a sample of 1155 people: 405 farmers, 101 agricultural advisors, 548 citizens, and 101 mayors.‍