[ENG] Agrivoltaics: Lovatens marks a new step towards the future of agriculture

Agrivoltaics is entering a new phase. Once considered mainly an experimental technology, it is increasingly becoming a concrete solution for some of the major challenges agriculture will face in the coming years.

A significant example comes from Switzerland, where the country’s largest agrivoltaic installation to date was inaugurated in Lovatens, in the Canton of Vaud, on 9 September 2026.

The project covers 1.8 hectares of organically grown blueberries and integrates 5,220 photovoltaic panels installed on a structure specifically designed to allow normal farming operations to continue. The installation is expected to generate around 2,400 MWh of renewable electricity per year, equivalent to the annual consumption of approximately 955 households.

But the real significance of Lovatens goes beyond the amount of electricity produced.

Agriculture and energy on the same land

The basic principle of agrivoltaics is to combine agricultural production and energy generation on the same land, designing the system around the needs of the crop.

This represents an important evolution from simply installing photovoltaic panels on agricultural land.

When properly designed, photovoltaic structures can become part of the agricultural infrastructure, contributing not only to renewable energy production but also to crop protection and climate adaptation.

At Lovatens, the structure was specifically designed for blueberry production. The panels are installed approximately 3.2 metres above the ground, allowing the farmer to continue using his existing machinery and farming practices. At the same time, the structure provides protection against hail, frost, heavy rainfall and periods of extreme heat.

A response to climate change

Climate has become one of the most difficult variables for farmers to manage.

Heatwaves, drought, hail, late frosts and intense rainfall can damage crops within a very short period of time, while also increasing the cost of protecting agricultural production.

For high-value crops such as berries, the challenge is even greater. It is not enough to achieve good yields: growers must also maintain quality and ensure consistent production.

The experience at Lovatens is particularly interesting in this regard.

During the summer of 2026, which included periods of extreme heat, blueberries grown under the agrivoltaic structure benefited from more favourable conditions, helping to limit issues such as sunburn, dehydration and growth interruption.

Agrivoltaics can therefore become not only an energy solution, but also a tool for climate adaptation.

More than photovoltaic panels

One of the most important developments in agrivoltaics is this change in perspective.

The structure should not simply be seen as a photovoltaic system installed above a crop. It can become a genuine agricultural infrastructure designed to interact with the crop’s microclimate.

Light availability, shading, ventilation, water management and protection from extreme weather conditions all need to be considered together.

This means that there is no single agrivoltaic model suitable for every situation.

A system designed for blueberries will have different requirements from one intended for vegetables, vineyards or other berry crops. Panel height, layout, coverage and light management need to be adapted to the crop and local environmental conditions.

Agronomic design therefore becomes just as important as energy design.

The potential role of water management

Water is another major challenge for the agriculture of the future.

Rising temperatures and increased evaporative demand can make irrigation management more difficult, particularly in areas where water resources are limited.

A properly designed agrivoltaic system can modify the microclimatic conditions within the crop and reduce direct exposure during periods of greatest stress.

This does not automatically mean that every agrivoltaic installation will reduce water consumption. Results depend on the crop, climate, soil or substrate, irrigation strategy and level of shading.

This is why technology will increasingly need to be combined with monitoring systems and data-driven agronomic management.

From experimentation to commercial scale

Lovatens is significant for another reason.

The project demonstrates that agrivoltaics can be developed at a scale compatible with professional farming while maintaining the ability to carry out normal agricultural operations.

The 5,220 photovoltaic panels installed at Lovatens cover 1.8 hectares of blueberry production and are integrated into a structure designed to preserve the continuity of farming activities.

Projects of this kind show how the sector is gradually moving from experimental trials towards commercially and economically viable models.

The challenge for the coming years will be to identify which crops and regions can obtain the greatest benefits from the technology.

A model to study, not necessarily to replicate

Agrivoltaics is not a universal solution.

Not every site is suitable, not every crop responds in the same way, and not every project will deliver the same results.

Each installation therefore needs to be assessed by considering agronomic, energy, economic and environmental factors together.

The objective should not simply be to maximise electricity production, but to find the best possible balance between agricultural output, crop protection and renewable energy generation.

This integration is where the real potential of agrivoltaics lies.

Towards a more integrated agricultural future

The Lovatens project shows one possible direction for the agriculture of the coming years: using technology not only to improve production efficiency, but also to make farms more resilient to climate change.

Agricultural production and renewable energy can coexist on the same land, creating new opportunities for farmers while contributing to the energy transition.

The value of Lovatens lies not only in its numbers, but in the fact that it provides a concrete example of this evolution.

Agrivoltaics is moving from the question “Can we produce energy above a crop?” towards a much more interesting one:

“How can we design an energy structure that improves, or at least supports, the agricultural system?”

This is likely to be the question driving the next generation of agrivoltaic technologies. www.insolight.ch info@agroconsulenze.com