Solar panels above crops protect against extreme weather and double the use of agricultural land. Sunvest shared practical knowledge in new WUR study on agri-PV
Utrecht, Sunvest, May 7th 2025. Photo credits: ProfiNRG
Protecting and utilizing: the strength of agri-PV
Agri-PV shows that solar energy and agriculture can reinforce each other. By placing solar panels above or next to crops, systems are created that protect crops against extreme weather and make dual use of farmland. A recent study by Wageningen University & Research, based on literature review and practical interviews, including with Sunvest, shows that this approach offers opportunities for future-proof agriculture and smart energy generation.
Solar panels above crops act like a kind of “shade cloth” against hail, intense sun or drought. That protects vulnerable crops, extends the growing season, and reduces heat stress. At the same time, the available agricultural land is used efficiently: on the same plot food and clean energy are produced.
Sunvest contributed practical knowledge to this research about applying agri-PV from our experience in solar energy development. These insights helped sharpen the opportunities and bottlenecks in daily practice.
Plenty of opportunities, but rules are still behind
Although the potential is large, there are still practical barriers in the way. Think of spatial planning rules that make no distinction between regular solar parks and agri-PV, or agricultural subsidies that are lost as soon as a panel is placed above a crop. There are also technical challenges: every project requires custom solutions, coordination with cultivation methods, and continued knowledge development.
But the momentum is growing. There are now more than twenty examples in the Netherlands, from soft fruit cultivation to dairy farming. And with clear policy frameworks, financial incentives and space for innovation, agri-PV can develop into a full-fledged pillar of sustainable spatial development.
The future calls for dual land use
At Sunvest we believe the energy transition does not need to be an either/or. Agri-PV shows that solar energy and agriculture can instead reinforce each other. By working together with farmers, municipalities, and knowledge institutions on thoughtful designs, we make agriculture more resilient for the future, and we make optimal use of the space we have.
We are proud to have contributed to this research, and will continue building toward a sustainable, resilient rural environment
