Crop agrivoltaic canopy

Presentation The agricultural canopy is an elevated agrivoltaic shelter developed by TSE for installation above arable land. It pairs dynamic solar panels mounted on trackers with unchanged farming operations to provide partial, rotating shade that adapts to climatic conditions while preserving machinery access and crop management.

Key points

• Suitable for major arable crops
• Partial, rotating shading across the plot
• Option to integrate an intelligent remote-controlled irrigation system
• Low ground footprint to maximise cultivated area
• Protection against drought, high temperatures, excess irradiation, frost and hail
• Compatibility with agricultural machinery: minimum clearance 5 m, typical span 27 m
• Dynamic panels with automatic orientation according to climatic conditions
• Generates long-term revenue for the operator and landowner

Integrated irrigation system For irrigated plots, the canopy can be equipped with a remote-manageable intelligent irrigation system. This system optimises water use and, according to demonstrators (measurements on the Brouchy agricultural canopy), can achieve up to 37% water savings. Integration reduces water stress while simplifying management and saving labour time.

Agronomic benefits

• Reduced temperatures across the plot and protection against excessive irradiation in summer
• Lower evapotranspiration and reduced water stress (water savings)
• Reduced risk of spring frost
• Improved crop resilience under dry conditions

Measured results (demonstrators)

• Potential evapotranspiration: -35% (Verdonnet, 2025)
• Average 24 h thermal amplitude (annual mean): ≈ -1°C
• Yield compared to unmanaged area: +18% (Verdonnet, 2025)
• Temperature during a heat peak: up to -7°C under the canopy (Amance & Brouchy, 2025)
• Mean on the hottest days: -1.4°C
• Coldest nights: +2°C

Demonstrators and projects Several demonstrators and territorial projects present the agricultural canopy (e.g. Amance, Brouchy, Verdonnet, Souleuvre-en-Bocage, Saint-Palais-de-Phiolin). Field observations confirm effective climate protection and positive impacts on production (higher biomass, improved resilience in dry periods).

Technical characteristics / specifications

• Manufacturer / designer: TSE
• Commercial name: Canopée agricole
• Type: elevated agrivoltaic shelter (dynamic panels on trackers)
• Minimum clearance height: 5 m
• Indicative span width: 27 m
• Ground footprint: ~0.5% of the covered surface
• Optional integration of an intelligent remote-controlled irrigation system
• Measured water savings on demonstrator: up to 37%
• Panels: automatic orientation according to climatic conditions (dynamic panels)
• Agronomic objectives: protection against drought, high temperatures, excess irradiation, frost and hail; reduction of evapotranspiration
• Experimental results: -35% potential evapotranspiration (Verdonnet 2025), +18% yield on managed area (Verdonnet 2025), up to -7°C under canopy during heat peak (Amance & Brouchy 2025)
• Compatibility: designed to allow passage and use of standard agricultural machinery