Paris agricultural photovoltaic energy storage

Why is France embracing agrivoltaism?

Driven by the will to be at the forefront of the energy transition while securing its agricultural economy, France has embraced ‘agrivoltaism’ - the practice of using land for both solar energy and agriculture – by introducing a new law, known as Act APER, in March 2023 that recognises agrivoltaism as part of the national renewable strategy.

Will France be able to develop solar power on farmlands?

Co-written by Charles Bressant and Francesca Bourrat of Pinsent Masons The solar energy and agricultural industries can expect growing opportunities in France, which has become the first EU country to enforce a legal regime on developing solar power projects on farmlands that also substantively contribute agricultural production.

How many solar PV installations are there in France?

At the end of the first quarter of 2023, only 19 GW of solar photovoltaic (PV) installations were installed in France, meaning there is room for improvement. Since the legal regime was introduced, there have been encouraging results.

Will France reach 100 gigawatts of solar energy by 2050?

Under the legal framework, large-scale solar panels built over crops on agricultural lands have become a key part of France’s efforts to reach its target of 100 gigawatts of solar energy by 2050, alongside ground-mounted and rooftop solar projects.

How can agrivoltaic systems benefit agriculture?

By harnessing solar energy for both electricity generation and agriculture, agrivoltaic systems offer the potential to increase land productivity and diversify revenue streams for farmers, ultimately supporting the broader goals of carbon neutrality.

Can agrivoltaic systems balance land use for energy and food production?

The optimal combination of PV and agricultural production in agrivoltaic systems is the subject of extensive scientific exploration. Hugo Sánchez Ortiz report reports on some of the findings of research into how best to balance land use for energy and food production.