TSE, solar energy producer, inaugurates its first agrivoltaic pilot site in Amance in Haute-Saône

TSE, the first independent player in solar energy in France, inaugurates its first agrivoltaic demonstrator on field crops in Amance (Haute-Saône). This experimental project extends over 5 hectares.

Last April, TSE unveiled the development of the largest agrivoltaic demonstrator in France, through its solution called “the agricultural canopy”. Designed primarily for field crops, the agricultural canopy is a shade equipped with rotating solar panels installed 5m high above agricultural land.

“After more than 3 years of research and development, we are happy to unveil our first pilot site today. At TSE, we believe that it is possible to reconcile sustainable agriculture, green energy, the redeployment of biodiversity and the preservation of water resources: this is the meaning of the ambitious program that we have designed and that we are currently deploying on 9 other sites in France. An approach that requires constant dialogue and close collaboration with farmers and all stakeholders concerned. In our own way, we are proud to contribute actively to economic development and to the sustainable energy transition in territories at a time when, more than ever, the question of our energy independence and that of accelerating the deployment of renewable energies in France is being intensively raised. “underlines Mathieu Debonnet, President of TSE.

Amance's agricultural canopy: an “agritech” innovation from a French company

Launched in October 2021, the construction of TSE's first agricultural canopy was completed in June 2022 in Amance in Haute-Saône. 75% of the investment amount is of French and/or European origin.

The project is carried out in the heart of a farm that extends over 850 hectares. Covering an area of 3 hectares, shade is installed on field crops: soybeans, wheat, fodder rye, winter barley, rapeseed... and produces a power of 2.4 MWc, equivalent to the consumption of 1350 households.

For more than ten years, the farm has been facing very hot and very dry summers. Equipped with trackers that automatically tilt the solar panels following the sun's axis from east to west, the agricultural canopy generates partial and rotating shade on the plot throughout the day, mitigating heat and water stress. The agrivoltaic shade will thus allow the operator of Amance to fight against these climatic hazards, thanks to a reduction in evapotranspiration and a drop in temperature under the shade in summer.

Thanks to an “agritech” technology using cables guaranteeing a small footprint (0.5% with 27 m between two posts), the agricultural canopy is compatible with the use of most agricultural machinery (combines, sprayers, etc.). The Amance operator therefore maintains the same use of his soil as well as his farming habits and practices.

INRAE, BFC & Purpan Alliance: leading scientific partners

Agronomic trials will be conducted for 9 years and on an area of 5 ha to demonstrate the relevance and effectiveness of the agricultural canopy on various cultivation practices: 3 ha covered by shade and 2 ha control.

A joint research project was built with INRAE. The team of the National Center for Research, Innovation, Education on Agri-Photovoltaism (PNR-AgriPV) in Lusignan, will analyze the agronomic behavior of varieties of several species of field crops under the agrivoltaic shade (vegetative growth, leaf biomass, leaf biomass, photosynthetic activity, productivity...) and study the direct and diffuse PAR radiation under the photovoltaic panels.

The agricultural teams of the BFC Alliance are also participating in the conduct of the trial as well as in the measurements and analysis of the results alongside the TSE R&D teams, as part of the partnership signed with the BFC Alliance last April.

“Since we planted soybeans in early June 2022, we can already make some interesting observations: the soil under the agrivoltaic shade is cooler and retains moisture better. We will continue to follow up with the TSE teams and measure the effects of these conditions on soybean development, the idea being to share our first results with our farmers in the fall, who are very much waiting for technical feedback on these innovative devices.”explains Martin Lechenet, from the R&D department at the BFC Alliance.

Finally, the R&D department of the Purpan Agricultural Engineering School supports TSE on scientific protocols for applied research, transversal monitoring of trials and mechanistic analysis on all TSE pilot sites.

To find out more about the TSE agricultural canopy, download the press kit.