Agrovoltaics is emerging as an innovative alternative for making food and energy production compatible on the same land, without one activity displacing the other. In this interview, Amaia Ortiz, researcher at NEIKER and coordinator of the European AgriPower project, explains why this technology could be key in the ecological transition of the primary sector and what conditions must be met for it to really benefit the rural world.

 

What exactly is agrovoltaics?

Agrovoltaics is the use of the same area of land for both agricultural activity, be it crop or livestock farming, and for the generation of electricity by solar panels. The important thing is that food production remains the main use. The energy part should be a complement, not a substitute. The aim is to maintain or even improve agricultural productivity, and to design systems that allow normal cultivation or grazing. This implies that photovoltaic structures must be adapted to the needs of the land and not the other way around.

 

What role does agrovoltaics play in the energy transition and sustainability of the European countryside?

Agrovoltaics can address three major challenges at the same time: advancing decarbonisation, adapting to climate change and preventing energy production from competing with food production for land use.

Brussels is clearly interested in consolidating a common framework for this technology, with a European definition that guarantees that the land will continue to be used for agricultural purposes after the panels have been installed. The creation of experimental stations such as ours at NEIKER is also being promoted to generate rigorous knowledge. In Spain, agrovoltaics has already been recognised as an activity compatible with the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), allowing farmers to continue accessing aid if they maintain production.

 

What are the current barriers to the development of this type of project in Spain and Europe?

The main barrier is the lack of reliable data from an agricultural point of view. Most projects in Europe are still pilot projects, and there are hardly any experimental stations that scientifically assess how these installations affect crops. This makes it difficult to regulate clearly. Some countries have already defined criteria to guarantee minimum and quality agricultural production, which is a good reference. At NEIKER we are working precisely to provide this information with which to build more solid regulations.

 

Solar panels are sometimes perceived as a threat to agricultural land use. What can agrovoltaics do to counter this fear?

It is a very understandable concern and at NEIKER we are very aware of this fear. To deal with this situation, the premise in agrovoltaics must be clear: the land must remain productive. Structures must allow conventional machinery to pass through and facilitate cultivation or grazing. In addition, well-designed agrovoltaic systems can provide added benefits, such as protecting crops from hailstorms or heat stress, or improving the welfare of livestock by providing shaded areas. If done well, it can even be a tool for adapting to climate change.

 

In the Arkaute experimental unit, what crops are you testing and why have they been chosen?

We are working with extensive herbaceous crops in rotation, such as cereals, fodder, vegetables and potatoes, because they are representative of the surrounding agriculture and have high productive potential. We are also studying the behaviour of sheep and their impact on pasture biodiversity.

It is still too early to draw conclusions, but we know that the presence of panels alters microclimatic variables such as photosynthetically active radiation, soil and air temperature, and rainfall distribution. Our objective is to understand these effects in order to adjust agronomic management and select the best adapted varieties.

 

Are there crops that, because of their light requirements or sensitivity, do not work well in these systems?

We do not yet have enough data to say for sure, but we know that not all crops react in the same way. Those that require a lot of light or are very sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity could have more difficulties under the panels. That is why at NEIKER we are working on specific varietal selection for agrovoltaics, to identify which species or varieties are best adapted to the new microclimatic conditions.

 

Beyond energy production, what other environmental impacts are being observed on soil, water or biodiversity?

One of the most obvious effects is the change in the microclimate of the soil. The structures modify solar radiation, temperature and humidity, which in turn can influence water use. For example, in one of the trials of the AgriPower project we will study whether floating panels on irrigation lakes reduce evapotranspiration.

In terms of biodiversity, we are analysing the evolution of flora, pollinators, grass and livestock behaviour. Agrovoltaics can have a protective effect and encourage more sustainable practices if designed with these objectives in mind from the outset.

 

The AgriPower project is not just about solar panels, what other elements does it include and how is the data collected analysed?

AgriPower has a holistic approach. In addition to pilot trials, it includes the development of policy recommendations, the design of tools to support producers and the creation of interdisciplinary working groups in each territory.

At Arkaute we have advanced sensors to measure agricultural and energy parameters in real time: soil moisture, plant growth, soil health, crop yields, animal behaviour, biodiversity, energy production and carbon footprint, among others. All this data is cross-referenced in order to make informed decisions and validate predictive models, with the collaboration of the University of the Basque Country (EHU) in the energy part.

 

What role does NEIKER play in AgriPower and how is it collaborating with the local agricultural sector?

NEIKER coordinates the project at European level and establishes the common methodology. Our experimental unit in Arkaute is the largest in Spain dedicated to arable crops under agrovoltaic systems. In addition, we are working closely with the Basque agricultural sector on two pilot projects: one with rotational crops and the other with sheep grazing on a regenerative management farm. The aim is for this research to have a real application, so we are using commercial materials and designs that can be easily transferred to the field. We also encourage the participation of cooperatives, associations and companies in the sector from the beginning.

 

What type of agrovoltaic model could work best in the Basque Country?

From what we are seeing, there is no universal solution. The facilities must be adapted to the characteristics of each farm and crop. In the Basque Country, arable crops in rotation and grazing are representative, so we are working on models that respond to this reality.

In the future, it will be necessary to have tools that help to design and dimension agrovoltaic systems according to the agro-climatic and productive conditions of each area. In short, the key will always be customisation.

 

What support would be necessary for this technology to be scaled up without conflict with the agricultural sector and the territory?

The first thing is to have clear and harmonised regulations to ensure that agricultural activity is maintained. It is also necessary to identify which soils have agrovoltaic potential and to carry out good land-use planning. From a technical point of view, it is necessary to continue investing in experimental stations, improve varietal selection and design structures that optimise both food and energy production.

Finally, economic support is needed to help farmers to take on the initial investments and to prove that this model can be profitable in the long term. All this must be done with the rural world at the centre, because if this technology is not good for those who work the land, then it makes no sense.