Agrivoltaics

Yes – if you don’t want to farm the land yourself, the project can still go ahead, as long as a farmer can be found who’s willing to take on the cultivation.

The landowner is involved from the start in co-designing the project, with opportunities to review preliminary data and suggest changes to the PV layout, row widths, support height, rotation angles, fencing, and other key features.

Together we’ll complete a survey questionnaire covering technical and agronomic aspects (e.g. machinery clearance, soil type, typical crop cycles, soil fertility management and surface water drainage), socio-cultural aspects (e.g. production focus, landscape and local supply chain considerations), and economic aspects (e.g. profitability, hours worked).

Where possible, the aim is to keep the crops already grown before the agrivoltaic project, or the most typical local crops; however, not all crop types are suitable for agrivoltaic development. Through co-design, a balance is found between the site’s characteristics, crop shading, distance/height of the structures, and agricultural productivity.

The PV modules are mounted on metal structures that track the sun’s daily path from east to west, producing dynamic rather than fixed shading. They are mechanically driven into the ground without concrete or foundations.

Agrivoltaics provides infrastructure suited to improving irrigation efficiency using low-pressure, low-water-consumption technologies (e.g. sprinklers, drip lines). Some technologies, such as guns and pivots, aren’t suitable as they interfere with the PV modules.

The construction site will be managed to minimise the risk of soil compaction. This will include preventive measures such as maximising the use of light and tracked vehicles and only entering the field when soil moisture levels are appropriate.

The landscape is an integral part of the agrivoltaic project. Through design that respects the existing mosaic of other landscape features, and the use of visual mitigation measures such as hedges and green strips, the aim is to ensure the system contributes positively to the enjoyment of the rural landscape.

Under AGEA Circular No. 101005 of 11 December 2025, CAP payments can still be received if the area beneath the PV modules is also cultivated.

The agrivoltaic system can be fitted with air and soil temperature and humidity monitoring. This can help optimise irrigation scheduling and volumes, leading to water savings, and allow crop progress to be monitored relative to growth stage, helping to prevent potential disease.

Operators working at an agrivoltaic site must be trained on the specific risks of electrical installations. In addition, cable ducts must be laid deeper than agricultural operations and clearly marked.

The relationship between the electricity producer and the farmer will be governed by a dedicated cultivation contract, which will also set out specific compensation arrangements for any damage caused by unavoidable maintenance work.

Electricity generated by the agrivoltaic system can help electrify production processes (e.g. irrigation pumps) and machinery (e.g. tractors), though a careful case-by-case assessment of technical and regulatory aspects is needed.