Agrivoltaic: The Future of Sustainable Agriculture
TotalEnergies, the French energy giant, has announced the results of its agrivoltaic pilot projects in the French municipalities of Channay, Rivals, and Valpuiseaux. The aim of the pilot projects was to study the impact of solar panels on crops and to develop a repository of the agronomic benefits of agrivoltaic projects.
Promising Results from Agrivoltaic Pilot Projects
The results of the first harvest from the agrivoltaic pilots showed an increase in agricultural yields for field crops and a reduction in water stress. In the Le Channay location, for example, the increase in yield was 1 quintal per hectare for wheat and 2 quintals for lentils. The protein levels in wheat also increased by 2%.
Agrivoltaic Technology Enhancing Agriculture
The agrivoltaic plant in Le Channay is made up of vertical bifacial photovoltaic panels with 237 kW of power. The panels also reduced average wind speeds by 14 km/hour, which could explain the increase in wheat protein levels.
The Valpuiseaux site, developed with Agrosolutions, Agrinovex, and Next2Sun, features vertical bifacial modules. Meanwhile, the Rivals demonstrator was developed with Sudexpe, IFV, InVivo, and Ombrea, with 87 kW deployed above pomegranate trees and vines.
Continuing Research and Development
TotalEnergies and its partner companies have noted that the results will need to be confirmed over time. The energy giant currently has over 140 agrivoltaic projects in various stages of development, showcasing its commitment to finding sustainable solutions for the future of agriculture.
In conclusion, TotalEnergies’ agrivoltaic pilot projects have shown promising results, with an increase in agricultural yields and a reduction in water stress. The future of sustainable agriculture looks bright with agrivoltaic technology at the forefront.
