Specific Programme: Interreg VI-A Spain-France-Andorra POCTEFA 2021-2027

Project Title: Research and demonstration of the development potential of agrivoltaic systems on a cross-border scale

Acronym: AgriPower

Objective: Develop intelligent systems for optimising the efficiency of agrivoltaic systems

Research team:

• Joseba Andoni Sain de Murieta (Principal Investigator)
• Arantzazu Burgos Fernández
• Unai Villena Camarero

Partner Entities:

• NEIKER: Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, S.A.
• IRTA: Institute for Agri-Food Research and Technology
• INTIA: Navarre Institute for Agri-Food Technologies and Infrastructures SA
• GNAV: Foral Community of Navarre – Government of Navarre - (General Directorate of Industry, Energy and Strategic Projects S4)
• UPV/EHU: University of the Basque Country/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea.
• CA64: Chambre d’Agriculture des Pyrénées Atlantiques
• CDA24: Chambre d'Agriculture de la Dordogne
• DERBI: Association Développement des Energies Renouvelles dans le Bâtiment et l’Industrie
• ASOI: Agri Sud-Ouest Innovation
• AMARENCO
• INDARKI

UPV/EHU: Partner entity

Project start: 01/01/2024

Project end: 31/12/2026

Total project duration: 2 years 11 months and 30 days

Project summary: Agrivoltaic systems - those that, on the same land, combine agricultural production with photovoltaic energy - have experienced rapid development in recent years, and this development is expected to continue, and even accelerate, in the next decade. The cross-border area offers significant potential for the development of these systems, given its good geographical location to take advantage of renewable energies and the importance of the primary sector, whose maintenance in competitive conditions is a strategic issue. Despite the multiple advantages of these systems, at levels as varied as the decarbonisation of the economy, the revitalization of rural economies, the adaptation of primary production to climate change or food sovereignty, there is not a sufficiently solid knowledge base to ensure the use of their potential in the cross-border area. Being aware of the complex balance between agricultural and energy use, the project is based on a clear premise: agrivoltaic systems must ensure the maintenance of agricultural or livestock activity and its productivity. That is, the main activity must continue to be agricultural, complemented by energy production, which in no case will replace or significantly reduce the former. The objective of the AgriPower project is therefore to enhance the value of agrivoltaic systems based on the monitoring of agricultural and livestock variables and their influence on energy production, as well as to take advantage of their potential to meet the challenge of the energy transition and agricultural profitability. To this end, a detailed methodological review is planned, followed by a series of pilot tests (agriculture, livestock and complementary spaces), as well as a support device for producers and the production of a report of policy recommendations.

The AgriPower project has been 65% co-financed by the European Union through the Interreg VI-A Spain-France-Andorra Programme (POCTEFA 2021-2027). The objective of POCTEFA is to strengthen the economic and social integration of the Spain-France-Andorra border area.

More information about the programme:

https://www.poctefa.eu/

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/factsheets/en/sheet/95/european-federal-regional-development-fund