AGRIC – Advancing Photovoltaics in Agriculture
Strengthening Agrivoltaics adoption in Bulgaria, Germany, Lithuania, Poland and Serbia to combine renewable energy generation with agricultural production.
Background
The European Union accelerates solar energy deployment under REPowerEU and the European Green Deal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen energy security. Reaching the target of more than 400 gigawatts of installed solar capacity by 2030 requires solutions that avoid land-use conflicts. Agrivoltaics, which combines agricultural production with photovoltaic electricity generation, offers an innovative approach to address this challenge.
The project operates in Bulgaria, Germany, Lithuania, Poland and Serbia, where agriculture plays a major economic and social role, and climate policies increasingly link renewable energy with sustainable land use. National frameworks such as Germany's Renewable Energy Sources Act, Lithuania's National Energy and Climate Plan, Poland's photovoltaic sector strategy, and Serbia's renewable energy and climate strategies recognise the importance and potential of solar energy but provide limited practical guidance for Agrivoltaics.
Perks of Agriphotovoltaics
Dual Land Use
Combining solar energy production with agricultural activities on the same land. This innovative approach maximizes land efficiency by allowing crops to grow beneath elevated solar panels.
Climate Resilience
Protecting crops from extreme weather while generating clean renewable energy. Agrivoltaic systems provide shade that reduces water evaporation and protects plants from hail.
Sustainable Future
Accelerating the rural energy transition while preserving agricultural production. Agrivoltaics enables farmers to diversify income streams and reduce energy costs.
Project Goals
The project strengthens the adoption of Agrivoltaic solutions by building practical knowledge, institutional capacity and investment readiness in rural regions. It delivers targeted trainings for public authorities, farmers, advisors and investors, supported by training materials, demonstration farm videos and best-practice examples.
An interactive impact assessment tool helps stakeholders evaluate economic, environmental and agricultural effects of Agrivoltaics under local conditions. The project develops a funding guide that explains available financing options and reduces uncertainty for project developers.
Policy recommendations support clearer regulatory frameworks and smoother permitting procedures. Cross-regional workshops enable exchange between agriculture and energy actors and showcase successful applications.