Agrovoltaics combines farming and energy production, offering benefits for agriculture and decarbonization across Europe.
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Agrovoltaics combines agricultural production with energy generation, unlike traditional solar farms that exclude dual land use. A report by Ember suggests agrovoltaics could add up to 180 GW of capacity in Central Europe, potentially increasing crop yields by 16%. This approach offers financial benefits to farmers through diversified income from crops, energy sales, and EU subsidies. Furthermore, it can benefit farming practices by protecting crops from weather elements like wind and hail, with fruits like raspberries being particularly suited for partial shading. In addition to growing crops, livestock can graze between vertically arranged solar panels, which can also improve pasture productivity. Poland has a theoretical potential of 120 GW in agrovoltaics, significantly more than current photovoltaic capacity. The concept is seen as beneficial for both the energy system and decarbonization efforts, potentially helping Polish agriculture remain competitive against cheaper international producers. Currently, Poland lacks regulations allowing dual land use, forcing a choice between farming or energy production on a given area. Experts suggest that changes in spatial planning and renewable energy laws are necessary to advance agrovoltaics. Agrovoltaic installations can be beneficial for the grid due to their morning and afternoon peak production times. A key concern is preventing fraudulent claims where developers pretend to farm while only seeking subsidies. International examples, such as those in Italy and France, use reference crops to verify yields. While Poland lacks a comprehensive strategy, neighboring countries like the Czech Republic are implementing legal frameworks defining agrovoltaics, allowing for dual land use under specific conditions. The report concludes that established regulations in other European nations have spurred numerous agro-PV projects globally.
