Crop agrivoltaic structure

Overview The dynamic agrivoltaics solution Sun'Agri prioritizes crop light needs over electricity production: intelligent panel control to reduce water requirements, protect crops from climate hazards and generate supplementary revenue.

Context and challenges In arable farming, each season brings uncertainties (heatwaves, prolonged drought, hail) that affect yields and income. Field results and simulations highlight the need for solutions that maintain production despite these hazards.

Quantified observations

• In 2022, non‑irrigated maize lost more than 50% yield in Southwestern France.
• In 2024, France recorded one of its lowest cereal harvests in 40 years.
• With a +4 °C scenario, Southern France could face heatwaves 5–6 times more frequently and up to −120 mm of spring and summer rainfall.
• Yields could drop 3.5–7% for soft wheat and 40–50% for maize under these scenarios.
• Regional example: in Languedoc, 40–50% of soils could be in drought conditions (vs 15% today).

Initial field results At the Lavalette experimental site (partnership with INRAE) on grain maize, adapted shading control maintained yields equivalent to the control plot while saving water. The principle is to adjust shading at the right time to protect plants without slowing growth.

Installation characteristics

• Mobile trackers installed at 5 m height with row spacing of 14–16 m to allow agricultural machinery and preserve technical routes.
• Structure fully demountable, made of European recycled or recyclable steel.
• A control (untreated) plot preserved on each project to compare results with a non‑equipped parcel.

Intelligent light control The control system adjusts panel tilt according to yield objectives and crop cycle. Key points:

• Real‑time panel orientation (up to 75°)
• Decisions driven by artificial intelligence
• Inputs: production targets, real‑time agroclimatic sensor data, updated weather forecasts

Agronomic monitoring and tools Each project is monitored by agronomic engineers and compared with a control plot. The Sun'Agri application enables:

• Real‑time visualization of panel control
• Tracking of meteorological and agronomic data
• Personalized alerts in case of heatwaves
• 30 hours/year of autonomous panel control available for operations or machinery passages

Economic aspects and financing Financing models allow infrastructure costs to be covered via green electricity production. Generated revenues are redistributed among stakeholders: the operator (remuneration over 30 years), the landowner if different, and local investors involved in the project.

Research and recognition Work and trials conducted in partnership with INRAE; the Sun'Agri application received an award at Focus Innovation 2024 at the Dionysud trade fair.

Characteristics / technical specifications

• Clearance under structure: 5 m
• Row spacing: 14–16 m
• Panel tilt: controlled up to 75°
• Structure: European recycled / recyclable steel, 100% demountable
• Control: artificial intelligence using agroclimatic sensors and weather forecasts
• Autonomous control availability for interventions: 30 hours per year
• Systematic comparison with a non‑equipped control plot (agronomic monitoring)