Sun, soil and synergy – the potential of agrivoltaics in a changing landscape

Anders Larsson, researcher at SLU and moderator of the discussion, emphasized how interest in multifunctional land use is growing as different societal needs – from food production and nature conservation to energy generation and urban development – increasingly compete for the same areas. He referred to examples from Denmark, where a significant share of land is now used in projects that combine ecological restoration, farming, and renewable energy:

“The question is no longer whether land should be used for one purpose or another, but how we can think more integratively – and view the landscape as a shared resource where multiple functions interact.”

German experience shows the way

The first speaker, Leonhard Gfüllner, researcher at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems in Freiburg, provided an overview of how agrivoltaics has developed in Germany – from a marginal experimental field to a rapidly expanding area of research and innovation.

He explained that the first scientific publications on agrivoltaics appeared as early as the 1980s, but that it was not until the early 2000s that the technology began to be applied on a larger scale:

“Over the past fifteen years, development has accelerated dramatically. Today we see an exponential rise in installations, projects, and scientific publications – and the interest continues to grow.”

The key principle, he stressed, is that agriculture must remain the primary use, with energy production as a secondary function.

Drawing on research projects in southern Germany, Gfüllner showed how different system configurations – such as elevated panels, wider row spacing, variable tilt angles, and panels with different degrees of light transmission – affect microclimate, light conditions, and crop growth. The results show that moderate shading can have positive effects on crops sensitive to heat stress or drought:

“We’ve found that during hot summers, partial shading from the panels can actually improve yields. At the same time, you generate electricity and use land more efficiently. It’s a clear synergy between technology and nature.”

He also noted that effects vary greatly between crops and systems. Some plants – such as potatoes or berry bushes – adapt well to shaded environments, while others, like maize, show reduced yields. This means that agrivoltaic systems must be tailored to local climates and growing conditions, rather than applied as a one-size-fits-all solution.

Finally, Gfüllner touched on economic and policy dimensions. As the technology becomes commercially viable, the need for standardization, incentives, and clear regulations grows:

“The challenge ahead is not only technological, but also about developing business models and governance structures that benefit farmers, energy companies, and society alike.”

Solar energy is growing fast – but land use remains a challenge in England

Jonathan Cooper, senior lecturer in sustainable technology and geography at Harper Adams University, presented the current development of solar energy in the UK, focusing on land use and planning issues related to agrivoltaic systems.

Cooper began by describing the rapid growth of solar energy in the UK since the early 2000s, initially driven by generous state subsidies that offered fixed payments for renewable electricity. In recent years, this system has been replaced by a more market-based arrangement in which electricity companies are obliged to buy surplus power from solar installations – still providing a stable, though somewhat lower, return for producers.

Today, solar energy accounts for around five percent of total electricity production in the UK. Expansion is unevenly distributed, with most installations located in the south, where solar irradiation is highest.

Cooper outlined the British government’s target to quintuple solar capacity by 2035, from about 15 gigawatts today to 70–80 gigawatts. The policy framework emphasizes that this expansion should occur in harmony with other land uses, including agriculture. The national energy security strategy highlights industrial land, low-quality farmland, and so-called brownfields as particularly suitable for new installations.

At the same time, high-quality agricultural land should be protected wherever possible. The UK’s land classification system serves as a policy tool to prevent solar parks from being built on the most productive soils. This creates a delicate balance between the need for renewable energy and the preservation of food production.

Regarding public attitudes, Cooper presented 2025 data showing very strong general support for solar energy – around 86 percent positive – but lower support for local installations (47 percent). The main reasons for opposition were concerns about the loss of farmland and changes to the visual landscape.

He gave examples of agrivoltaic approaches already in use in the UK: sheep grazing under panels, greenhouses with semi-transparent solar cells, and pilot projects combining panels with pollinator habitats and beekeeping areas. Research is also ongoing into water runoff, soil moisture, and microclimatic effects of panel construction.

A growing challenge for the sector is grid capacity, especially in southern England, where connection to the main grid can take many years. Economically, agrivoltaic systems remain more expensive to install than traditional solar parks.

Cooper concluded by stressing the need for coordinated interdisciplinary planning between the energy sector and agriculture. He pointed out that the biggest barriers to expansion are the planning process and grid capacity – not a lack of interest among farmers. If the technology is integrated with continued farming, it can offer both diversified income streams and improved energy security.

Swedish farm example shows the potential of agrivoltaics

Ulf Andersson, owner and farmer at Kärrbo Prästgård, shared his experiences of combining agriculture with agrivoltaic systems and various forms of energy production, including solar and hydrogen.

He described how his farm has installed solar panels over cultivated land while developing a system for hydrogen production and storage:

“This has been a revolution for me. I can produce my own energy, power both electric vehicles and fuel cells, and store the energy.”

Andersson explained that the farm produces both food and energy without compromising yields. The solar panels are mounted at heights and angles that allow continued cultivation beneath them. He emphasized that the system also benefits biodiversity:

“We have insects, birds, and wild animals thriving in this landscape.”

In addition to energy production, Andersson has developed solutions for ammonia and methanol production, with the ambition of supplying renewable energy to the market and strengthening local energy security. He stressed that the technology is not only innovative but also economically promising: the installations create new revenue opportunities while allowing diversification of farm output.

He also reflected on the social and local value of agrivoltaic systems:

“It feels good to contribute to society while doing something meaningful for the future – for my children and for our local community.”

Balancing energy, cultivation and ecological values

Mads Lykke Andersen from European Energy emphasized the importance of balancing energy production with agricultural productivity. He described experimental systems with varying panel configurations – fixed and dynamic, with different orientations and spacing. He highlighted how panel layout directly affects both energy output and crop growth:

“The amount of light reaching the ground is crucial for crop development, but also for energy efficiency.”

He explained that systems can be adapted for different crops – such as oats, beans, wheat, and potatoes – and that robotics and automation can be integrated to optimize harvesting and management. At the same time, he underlined the importance of considering biodiversity and pollination:

“We see how agrivoltaics can coexist with biodiversity while ensuring robust energy generation.”

Andersen also discussed economic aspects, stressing that systems must be profitable for farmers and scalable for different farm sizes. He demonstrated how panel height, row spacing, and orientation can be optimized for both yield and energy output, using simulation tools and field testing.

Finally, he highlighted the need for international collaboration, particularly between Swedish and Danish universities, to evaluate the technical, ecological, and social impacts of agrivoltaics:

“We can combine food production with renewable energy in a way that benefits farmers, society, and the environment.”

Panel discussion: Scale, systems thinking and local anchoring in future energy landscapes

The panel emphasized that agrivoltaics is not only about technology and energy, but also about landscape, society, and economy. The discussion revolved around the need for systems thinking – planning for energy, food production, nature conservation, and local climate as a coherent whole.

A recurring theme was the balance between large-scale energy production and the preservation of open landscapes. Several speakers stressed that the scale and aesthetics of solar infrastructure affect how well it is accepted locally. Small-scale, flexible solutions can often support both the energy transition and local self-sufficiency without fundamentally transforming the landscape.

Economic and technical aspects were also central. The panel highlighted the need for planning and visualization that optimize both energy output and agricultural yield, as well as the importance of support schemes that make projects economically viable. At the same time, research on light, photosynthesis, and system efficiency shows great potential to boost productivity – but results must always be interpreted in relation to local ecology and land use.

Community participation and perceptions of fairness in decision-making were described as crucial for long-term acceptance. Several participants noted that decentralized energy systems can strengthen local control and resilience, while also raising new questions about responsibility and governance.

In conclusion, the panel agreed that the future of agrivoltaics requires more than technological innovation. It must integrate landscape architecture, policy development, ecology, and spatial planning – to create place-based solutions that benefit people, crops, soil, and energy alike.