Agrivoltaics, the integration of farming and solar panel systems, is gaining attention as a promising approach to maximize land use and energy production.

This innovative concept involves combining agriculture and solar energy generation, allowing for sustainable land use. Large pilot projects are already operational, demonstrating the feasibility of this approach.

However, for agrivoltaics to reach its full potential in Europe, regulatory frameworks need to evolve to accommodate and support this technology. The synergy between food production and electricity generation in agrivoltaics presents an opportunity for sustainable and efficient land utilization.

Combining food production with electricity generation through agrivoltaics, installing solar panels amidst or over crop plants, is viewed as a promising strategy for the EU to increase renewable energy generation while supporting agriculture.

According to a report by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, implementing agrivoltaic systems on just 1% of agricultural land in the EU could surpass the bloc’s 2030 solar energy generation target. However, regulations and subsidies often fail to recognize the complementary nature of food and energy production, posing a challenge for agrivoltaics. Regulatory uncertainty and slow adaptation of legal frameworks are cited as significant obstacles in scaling up this approach.

The lack of a clear definition for agrisolar projects raises concerns about potential greenwashing and inconsistent planning regulations. The Netherlands, for instance, has halted permits for standard solar parks on agricultural land to protect food production but allows agrisolar projects without a well-defined term.

The absence of standardized definitions could lead to developers attempting to mix solar parks with minimal agriculture, potentially undermining the credibility of agrivoltaic projects. Harmonized European definitions and legislation are suggested, along with consideration for higher costs and lower power density in the contract price for agrivoltaic energy. Regulatory challenges and slow adaptation pose obstacles to scaling up agrivoltaics, with the need for greater clarity and support in land designation and subsidies.