AgriVoltaics Forum 2024 unites solar and agriculture players in Madrid

14 November 2024

AgriVoltaics Industry Forum 2024 took place in Madrid on 5-6 November, gathering over 200 attendees, including solar and agriculture industry experts, researchers, and policymakers.

Opening the conference on Day 1 and presenting SolarPower Europe's new Agrisolar Handbook, our Deputy CEO Dries Acke stated:
 
"Farming is a critical sector that is facing challenges such as climate change. We are here in Madrid & we should take a moment to reflect on the brutal climate impacts the people and local communities in Spain are facing.
 
We need to think about solutions & that is what SolarPower Europe is doing; we are proud to present a new report developed with the farming sector and with society."

Later in the conference, Policy Advisor for Sustainability Lina Dubina gave a more detailed presentation of the report:
 
"Agrisolar is incredible: a win-win-win! Up to 60% more crop yield increase thanks to agrisolar; up to 30% improvement in average water retention. Agrisolar improves land efficiency and allows for farmers to earn additional revenues from the same plot of land.
 
The handbook is also aimed to inform decision makers; we worked on providing key policy recommendations to enable to rollout of agrisolar."

Download SolarPower Europe's Agrisolar Handbook

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Antanas Karbauskas from the European Commission joined valuable discussions during the event, providing insights into what the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)  could look like:
 
"The CAP legal framework is not a barrier to Agri-PV development in the EU. The question is, for the future CAP, how do we ensure that there are win-win-win situations? We need to continue the dialogue with Member State administrations and stakeholders, and to assess the need for changes in the EU CAP legislation."

Different sessions throughout the two days explored:
 

  • How regulation for Agri-PV differs across the EU
  • Different finance models for Agri-PV & how to accelerate investment
  • Novel and upcoming technologies such as Peatland PV and Eco-PV
  • Livestock farming with Agri-PV
  • And much more!
     
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