- The Agrisolar Handbook identifies ten agrisolar archetypes and case examples, of how farmers and landowners can benefit from agrisolar projects on their farms.
Based on the decade-long experience the solar PV sector has developed on agrisolar, working hand-in-hand with the agricultural sector, the handbook highlights ten archetypes for supporting profitable business models of agrisolar. The paper also showcases agrisolar’s multiple benefits for the farming and energy sectors, and for wider society. Depending on the technology and geography, this includes: up to 60% crop yield increase; up to +7°C increase of soil temperatures, and up to – 6 °C decrease of soil temperatures during cold and warm periods respectively; and up to 60% increase in pollinators observed on one project! Finally, the paper emphasises that farmers can contribute significantly to the renewable energy transition, while increasing their revenue streams, and improving land productivity.
The European agricultural industry is currently facing a complex set of challenges, ranging from rising costs, uncertainties around income, and access to land, to the impacts of climate change, water scarcity, and other environmental challenges. These combined challenges shed light on the need to develop innovative solutions to enhance the resilience and sustainability of the European agricultural sector.
The report urges EU policymakers to take action to support agrisolar development, for example through:
- Clarifying that eligible agricultural land equipped with agrisolar can access Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) direct payments, based on an EU definition of agrisolar.
- Develop relevant incentive schemes to recognise the value of multiple land-use.
- Recognise and integrate agrisolar into environmental requirements or support schemes on agricultural land, including by gathering data on agrisolar projects’ environmental and nature benefits.
- Improve permitting and grid connection procedures.
- Support further research and innovation in the agrisolar field.
Download the handbook HERE
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
