Agrivoltaism: A Promising Initiative for the Agricultural Sector
The National Agency for Energy Management (ANME) is launching an innovative initiative that combines photovoltaic production and agriculture, known as agrivoltaism. This emerging method, already adopted in several countries around the world, aims to promote a promising vision for the agricultural sector.
An Innovative Approach
Agrivoltaism involves covering agricultural crops with inclinable and removable photovoltaic panels. This approach has shown promising results, particularly in the context of climate change, where farmers face significant challenges. The benefits of agrivoltaism are numerous, including:
- Reduction of evapotranspiration due to shading of crops
- Limitation of photo-inhibition periods
- Water savings
- Reduction of energy costs for farms
- Protection of livestock during extreme heat episodes
Proven Benefits
Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of agrivoltaism in reducing water needs for crops, such as salads, by up to 40%. In some countries, experiments have shown that forage produced under solar panels is richer in protein. In China, the installation of an agrivoltaic power plant with a capacity of 2.2 gigawatts has reduced wind speed by 40%, lowered ambient temperature by 0.5°C, and increased humidity by 2%. These conditions have contributed to improved plant growth, restored biodiversity, and combated desertification.
ANME: A Key Player in the Project
The ANME is driving this national project, which aims to develop demonstrator projects to experiment with various solutions. Tunisia is poised to become a pioneer in the region, leveraging its expertise in photovoltaic production and agronomy. The project is currently in the experimentation phase, with a call for projects launched following strategic studies on the development of agrivoltaism in Tunisia.
Objectives and Expected Outcomes
The selected projects will demonstrate the benefits of agrivoltaism for agricultural activities and energy transition. They will highlight the role of agrivoltaism in improving crop yields, water conservation, animal welfare, and adapting to climate change. The projects will also evaluate the impact of agrivoltaism on agricultural revenues, energy costs, and the contribution to achieving Tunisia's strategic energy transition objectives. Studies estimate that agrivoltaism could reasonably contribute 10-20% to the development of renewable energy in Tunisia by 2030.
Future Prospects
The demonstrator projects will provide solid data on the viability and reproducibility of experiences in other territories, creating a collective momentum necessary for the emergence of future projects involving farmers, financiers, and energy companies. With its promising potential, agrivoltaism is poised to become a valuable ally for farmers facing the challenges of climate change, offering a relevant response to the adaptation of the agricultural sector.
