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All articles of topic agriculture

The pv Europe video team, also on site for Energy Decentral 2026

Energy Decentral – the solar offensive reaches agriculture

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The Hanover trade fair, running from 10 to 13 November 2026 alongside EuroTier, will focus on the self-consumption of solar power by agricultural businesses and on agri-PV, with pv Europe's video team on site to take a look.

One of the herd's 150 members, making itself at home

Germany – a solar farm rises to deer height

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In Saarland, Perigus Energy raised its modules just high enough for the estate's antlered residents to pass safely beneath them, with early results showing the herd has settled in well.

Stay up to date with the latest advances in agricultural photovoltaics in our free special edition

Solar for farmers – tech and regulations in focus

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Agri-PV systems help farmers generate renewable energy, protect crops and maintain yields against climate pressures. This feature covers core technologies, planning strategies and top service providers.

Agrivoltaics events draw a growing international crowd

Delhi to host Agrivoltaics World Conference in October

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Conexio PSE has published the full programme for Agrivoltaics World Conference 2026, running from 21 to 23 October, with both in-person and online participation available.

Combining vertical systems and conventional solar parks provides clear economic benefits

Vertical PV and existing solar parks: a case for overbuilding

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Next2Sun argues that combining south-facing and vertical installations can expand connected capacity by around 60 percent while cutting infrastructure costs and improving market returns.

Best practice projects will be on show at Château Gassies near Bordeaux

Agrivoltaics Industry Forum 2026 heads to Bordeaux

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Providers, growers and researchers will convene at Château Gassies on 13 and 14 October 2026 to share the latest findings on combining crop production with solar generation across European conditions.

The vertical mounting of bifacial modules means the plant generates almost no midday peak

Next2Sun seeks capital for accelerating vertical solar demand

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The agrivoltaics specialist is raising up to €5 million to fund a pipeline that includes more than 70 MW planned for 2027, betting its morning-and-evening generation profile gives it an edge over conventional solar plants.

Shadowplay across the field – and crops adapting better than assumed

Agri-PV – shade tolerance in crops runs deeper than assumed

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Researchers at the University of Hohenheim found that barley, maize, potatoes and other sun-loving crops physiologically adapt to shading beneath solar panels, offering a new tool for crop selection.

The special edition covers the latest developments in agricultural PV.

Farming meets PV in our dual harvest special

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This special edition explores how farmers can use land more efficiently by combining agriculture with solar energy. It also covers technology, insurance and the shift to e-mobility in farming.

The berry plants sit well below the panels, with room to spare

Austria – berries and grid share the gains at one plantation

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A 20-hectare canopy of semi-transparent modules produced 1.85 million kilowatt-hours in year one, with farmers reporting stronger fruit quality under its shade.

Maja Pokrovac, Director of OIEH, and Andrea D’Amico, AIAS representative , signing the cooperation agreement in the Croatian city of Opatija

Croatian and Italian associations join on agri-PV rollout

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A new partnership between OIEH and AIAS aims to accelerate agrivoltaics deployment through shared expertise, joint conferences and coordinated proposals on regulation, drawing on Italy's established track record in the sector.

The new podcast unpacks why agri-PV projects are rarely straightforward

Solar Investors Guide #8 – Agri-PV for farmers and investors

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Podcast (German): Valuable agricultural land can serve two purposes: as pasture or arable land and for generating clean solar power. Stephan Schindele has played a central role in industrialising agrivoltaics, both at Fraunhofer ISE and at BayWa r.e. He explains the advantages these systems offer farmers and where the pitfalls lie.

Unlike Troia in Puglia, pictured here, the Vizzini plant will keep the land in agricultural use

Sheep, solar and €234 million financing for Sicily's agri-PV giant

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Four international banks are backing European Energy's 225 MW Vizzini plant, which combines utility-scale generation with animal grazing, positioning agrivoltaics as a bankable asset class in Italy.

No EnergyDecentral without solar – PV will be a key theme again in 2026

EnergyDecentral 2026 – registration now open

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High demand is already shaping up for EnergyDecentral 2026, and DLG continues to accept exhibitor applications ahead of the trade fair‘s opening in Hannover on 10 November.

Agri-PV works when the panels adapt to the farm, not the other way round

Agri-PV – a second harvest, if the planning is right

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Farmers rarely have time to master permits, mapping and grid procedures alongside the day job. Developers such as Hamburg-based Metavolt now handle the entire journey, from initial idea to completed installation.

Stephan Schindele (right) and Karsten Schäfer discuss the emerging opportunities for PV in Europe

Solar Investors Guide #11 – Agri-PV reimagines farmland for the future

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Podcast: Elevated solar modules and solar fences let farmers generate clean power on pastures and arable land. Stephan Schindele has played a central role in industrialising agrivoltaics at both Fraunhofer ISE and BayWa r.e., and explains how agricultural transformation and the energy transition connect, benefiting farmers and investors alike, with several European countries already leading the way on large-scale projects.

For most farmers, the appeal of PV is lower bills through self-consumption

pv Europe special – solar power by farmers, for farmers

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Our new feature on solar energy for farmers explores the latest trends in agri-PV and how farms are using the sun to boost self-sufficiency. The special edition is available to download free of charge.

Discover new technologies and business models for solar projects on arable land in our special issue
Download the free special issue

Crops meet kilowatts – explore our agri-PV special edition

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Free to download: This special issue highlights the dual use of land as a key aspect of the solar energy transition in agriculture. Alongside the latest technological developments, it also covers the emerging business models for solar installations on farmland.

The elevated trackers create optimal growing conditions for the crops below

Italy – RWE brings first commercial agri-PV plants online

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Two new Agri-PV installations in Morcone and Acquafredda mark RWE's entry into the Italian market, with elevated tracker systems designed to shade crops while adding 19 MW of solar capacity to the grid.

Rows of AIKO ABC modules take shape on farmland outside Lodi

Italy – crop rotation meets solar with 1 MW of AIKO ABC

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The installation in Lodi is projected to outperform a comparable TOPCon-based system by more than 633 MWh over 30 years.

Designing solar arrays around usable plant light can raise energy yields without harming crops

Study: plant physiology, not shading, should drive agri-PV design

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Configuring solar arrays around the light spectrum plants actually use can substantially raise energy yields while leaving crop growth unaffected, Australian researchers report.

Energy Decentral's Innovation Awards spotlight new and enhanced solutions, including those for on-farm solar supply

Energy Decentral – apply now for the Innovation Awards

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The DLG is accepting submissions for its 2026 Innovation Awards until 31 July, offering Energy Decentral exhibitors in Hanover a broad marketing package and stronger presence at the fair.

Panels above, crops below – a faster route to Croatia's energy goals

Croatia – agrivoltaics could add 4.7 GW of solar capacity

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OIEH research shows the country could generate significant renewable output using just five percent of its farmland, while also supporting food production.

Discussing future farming at an agri-PV facility in La Alberca, Murcia

Spain – Catalonia positions itself as agri-PV frontrunner

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Farmers, financiers and public authorities gathered in Barcelona to discuss regulation, finance and technology as Catalonia positions itself at the forefront of Spain's agrivoltaic push.

Tall pile-driven supports carry the modules well clear of the working area

IT – EE kicks off major €200 million Sicilian agri-PV

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The 225 MW installation outside Vizzini will be refinanced via a CfD awarded through a competitive process in which generation cost was only one of several criteria.