Agrovoltaics: The Future of Farming Powered by the Sun

🌱 Agrovoltaics: The Future of Farming Powered by the Sun

A major step forward in the “green world” of renewable energy is taking place — one that could merge agriculture and solar power into a single sustainable system.
Swiss startup Insolight is launching the Insolagrin Solar Project, designed to test a new generation of agroelectric and agrovoltaic technologies that promise to redefine the relationship between farming and clean energy.

☀️ What Is Agrovoltaics?

Agrovoltaics, or agrophotovoltaics, is the dual use of farmland - simultaneously growing crops and generating solar power on the same area.

While the idea dates back to 1981, when Adolf Goetzberger and Armin Zastrow first proposed it, the concept gained serious attention only in the 2010s, as renewable energy and sustainable agriculture became global priorities.

Skeptics once argued that shading from solar panels could reduce crop yields. However, a study published in Nature demonstrated that dedicating just 1% of global farmland to solar generation could meet the entire world’s energy demand - without significantly reducing agricultural productivity.

🌾 The Insolagrin Project

The Insolagrin pilot project aims to measure how solar installations can positively affect crop yields and soil health.
The research, approved by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy, is being conducted by Insolight in collaboration with Agroscope, Switzerland’s leading agricultural research center.

If successful, this technology could lead to the creation of independent green farms - self-sufficient agricultural systems powered entirely by renewable energy. These farms could become the foundation for future “green smart villages.”

🔬 How Insolight Panels Work

What makes Insolight’s photovoltaic system unique is its patented planar optical micro-tracking technology.

Each module contains an optical layer beneath the protective glass that directs concentrated sunlight onto high-efficiency solar cells. A built-in micro-tracking mechanism keeps the cells perfectly aligned with the sun throughout the day.

The panels serve a dual purpose:

• They generate clean electricity, and

• They act as adaptive shading, automatically adjusting light transmission to optimize photosynthesis and protect crops during hot periods.

This helps reduce heat stress, evaporation, and fungal disease, while improving overall yield quality.

🍓 Real-World Testing on Berries

In July 2021, Insolight installed its panels over strawberry and raspberry crops at the Agroscope Experimental Center.

The panels replaced traditional plastic tunnels, offering:

• Better shading and rain protection

• Reduced temperature fluctuations

• Lower risk of fungal infections

• The potential for higher berry yields

The trial is planned to run for four years, with data being used to assess the cost-efficiency and scalability of the solution.

Switzerland’s Energy Vision for 2050

Switzerland’s national goal is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. To reach this target, the country must increase solar power capacity by 1.5 GW per year, reaching 30 GW by mid-century - nearly five times the current output.

Agrovoltaics could be a key part of that strategy.
By integrating solar systems with existing farmlands, Switzerland could accelerate the decarbonization process while maintaining agricultural output.

🌍 A New Era for the Global Berry and Energy Sectors

Unlike conventional rooftop panels, Insolight’s next-generation photovoltaic modules are designed as agricultural tools. They dynamically adjust light transmission to protect crops against climate variability, heatwaves, and UV damage - creating a controlled microclimate while producing renewable energy.

“Replacing traditional greenhouse tunnels with smart solar panels opens a path to more efficient farming, energy generation, and climate resilience,”
said Martial Genole, Head of Photovoltaics at Romande Energie.

If large-scale trials confirm expectations, agrovoltaic systems could become the new standard for sustainable agriculture - providing both economic and environmental benefits across the world.

✅ Key Takeaways

• Agrovoltaics enable dual land use - farming and power generation.

• Insolight’s technology combines solar tracking, shading control, and climate optimization.

• Results from the Swiss pilot could transform sustainable farming worldwide.

• The approach supports the creation of self-sufficient, renewable-powered farms.

Agrovent supports technologies that unite productivity, sustainability, and climate intelligence - from microclimate control to renewable integration. Together, they represent the next step in creating a smarter, greener agriculture.