SolarPower Europe calls for policy reform to support Europe’s agriPV sector
ByJP Casey
November 6, 2024
Europe’s agrivoltaics (agriPV) sector would benefit from integrating agriPV into meeting environmental standards for new projects, improved permitting and grid connection procedures and further research into the technology.
This is according to trade body SolarPower Europe, which presented these policy recommendations, alongside a swathe of information on agriPV projects for potential investors and developers, in its latest publication. The organisation’s ‘Agrisolar Handbook’ includes details on ownership and business model schemes for projects, and definitions of a number of types of agriPV facilities, alongside biodiversity and agronomic considerations.
“The production of energy in conjunction with agricultural production is an important condition for the expected transition of the European economy towards a carbon-neutral economy,” said Yves Madre, president of think tank Farm Europe.
“Through its research, agrisolar can deliver greatly in this process, by finding ways for solar PV production to go hand in hand with an increase in agricultural production, a reduction in the ecological footprint of the latter, and an improvement in farmers’ incomes.”