[ENG] Lovatens (VD) to Host One of the Most Promising Examples of Integrated Agriculture and Renewable Energy

This September, an innovative agrivoltaic installation built above a 4-hectare blueberry plantation will be officially inaugurated in Lovatens, Canton of Vaud, Switzerland. Developed by Swiss company Insolight SA, the project represents an important example of how agricultural production and renewable energy generation can successfully coexist on the same land.

With an installed capacity of 2 MW, the system will produce clean energy while maintaining full agricultural production, demonstrating the potential of agrivoltaics for high-value crops such as blueberries.

Agrivoltaics: A Practical Solution to Modern Agricultural Challenges

In recent years, extreme weather events, heatwaves, increasing pressure on water resources, and rising production costs have driven growers to seek innovative solutions that improve both sustainability and profitability.

Agrivoltaics is emerging as one of the most promising technologies to address these challenges. Unlike conventional ground-mounted solar installations, agrivoltaic systems are specifically designed to allow agricultural activities to continue beneath the solar panels, combining food and energy production on the same land.

For blueberries and other berry crops, this approach can offer several important benefits:

• Protection from excessive solar radiation during hot periods.

• Reduced heat stress on plants.

• Lower soil water evaporation and improved water-use efficiency.

• Partial protection against hail and heavy rainfall.

• Additional revenue opportunities through renewable energy production.

The Lovatens Project

The agrivoltaic installation to be inaugurated in September covers approximately 4 hectares of blueberry production and has a total installed capacity of 2 MW.

The project was developed by Insolight SA, a Swiss company specializing in advanced agrivoltaic solutions. In recent years, Insolight has attracted considerable attention within the agricultural sector for its technologies specifically designed for specialty crops.

The objective of the project is to demonstrate how clean energy generation can be successfully integrated with the cultivation of high-value crops such as blueberries while maintaining high standards of productivity and fruit quality.

A Model for the Future of Blueberry Production

The global blueberry industry is undergoing a significant transformation. Rising temperatures, increasingly frequent extreme weather events, and the need to improve resource efficiency are encouraging growers to invest in new technologies for crop protection and management.

In this context, agrivoltaics could become one of the most attractive solutions for the future of the sector. Beyond renewable energy generation, these systems can help create a more favorable microclimate for plants, improving crop resilience and enhancing the overall sustainability of farming operations.

The inauguration of the Lovatens installation will therefore be a particularly important event for growers, consultants, researchers, and industry stakeholders interested in understanding the potential of agrivoltaic technology for berry crops.

An Event Worth Following

The September inauguration will provide a unique opportunity to explore one of Europe's most advanced examples of integrated agriculture and renewable energy production. The project could serve as a model for many other blueberry and specialty crop operations, contributing to a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable agricultural future. www.agroconsulenze.com www.insolight.ch