France: Agrovoltaics could increase grape yield by up to 60%

Published Dec 12, 2024

Tridge summary

Agrovoltaic agriculture, which involves the co-location of solar panels and crops, has been shown to offer significant benefits for grape cultivation. French company Sun’Agri finds that panels can protect vines from extreme temperatures, increasing survival rates by 25% to 50% and boosting grape yield by 20% to 60%. The system also reduces irrigation needs by 20% to 70%, mitigating the impact of drought. The Piolenc experimental system in Vaucluse has demonstrated various agronomic advantages, including increased vine resistance to heat waves and reduced water usage. This innovation aims to address the challenges of climate change in agriculture by integrating renewable energy production with efficient cultivation techniques, promoting sustainability, profitability, and product quality.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

Panels in agrovoltaic agriculture protect vines from extreme temperatures, reducing drops of up to 2°C and increasing plant survival by 25% to 50%. French company Sun’Agri has shown that agrovoltaic systems can increase grape yield by 20% to 60%. In two pilot installations in the south of France, solar panels contributed significantly to the balance of the microclimate, regulating temperature fluctuations. These installations, located at the Domaine de Nidolères in the Pyrénées-Orientales, analysed three grape varieties: Chardonnay, Marselan and Grenache blanc. Chardonnay showed the greatest increase, with 60% more yield. Marselan and Grenache blanc had increases of 30% and 20%, respectively. In another trial in Vaucluse, yields increased by more than 30%, regardless of whether the vines were irrigated or not. This system not only improves yields, but also reduces irrigation needs by 20% to 70%, mitigating the impact of drought and optimising the use of water, an increasingly ...

Source: MXfruit