These are some of the solutions to be implemented in four French solar parks awarded to Iberdrola under a public innovation tender in renewable energies launched by the French Ministry of Ecological Transition.
The four “agrivoltaic” projects (twelve megawatts in total) focus on innovation, environmental care, and improvement of agriculture and livestock on the land where they are installed, prioritizing these objectives while maximizing electricity production is secondary, according to Iberdrola.
The tender was structured via Contracts for Difference (CfD), setting a 20-year price per megawatt-hour above the market value to compensate for prioritizing agriculture and livestock care over plant electricity production. The French tender covered a total of 140 MW across two categories: innovative ground-mounted installations with capacities from 500 kW to 3 MW, and innovative rooftop installations on barns, greenhouses, or parking lots, with capacities from 10 kW to 3 MW. In total, 172 MW were awarded across 66 projects: 30 ground-mounted and 36 rooftop, with an average capacity of 2.6 MW.
The four projects submitted by Iberdrola won the bid and obtained the maximum capacity of 3 MW. Ground-mounted projects include two different solutions. The first, called Kirch, focuses on improving animal welfare and pasture quality for cattle under the panels, enhancing the ecological farm’s dairy product quality. The other three projects – Maubec, Lapenche, and Solomiac – aim to improve agricultural plantations.
Heat stress
Climate change creates heat stress for both livestock and pastures, affecting milk production and quality. To combat this, Iberdrola explains, the Kirch project installs solar structures at a minimum height of 1.5 meters to allow cows to shelter under the photovoltaic panels. Each panel is equipped with a smart system that collects rainwater during winter, stores and filters it, and then uses it in summer to irrigate pastures and cool cows.
The Iberdrola prototype also predicts heat stress by cross-referencing data from the farm’s weather station with health parameters collected via smart collars on the cows. Under extreme temperatures, sensors under the panels detect cows’ presence and automatically activate the misting system.
The system can also predict pasture water needs and activate intelligent irrigation as necessary, ensuring green pastures year-round. These measures aim to improve dairy quality and production while maintaining the farm’s ecological certification.
Trackers
The second solution, focused on maximizing agricultural production, is based on photovoltaic panel tracking technology. However, instead of following the sun to maximize electricity production, the single-axis trackers optimize crop production.
Panels are installed in north-south rows, allowing rotation between –70° and +70° east-west. This protects crops from winter frost and intense summer sun, improving crop quality. Panel shading is controlled by an intelligent system that monitors crops via sensors under each panel row, collecting plant and weather data to predict when crops need sunlight or shade.
Panels are strategically positioned to allow tractors to pass between rows and to support the transition from traditional to agroforestry farming. By planting complementary crops between rows, such as cereals and oilseeds, an ecosystem is created to protect plants from pests and diseases, maintaining production levels while reducing pesticide use.
France
Iberdrola plans to invest approximately €4 billion by 2025 in France, “mainly in renewable projects.” The company currently operates in eight cities (including Paris and Marseille), with 118 MW of onshore wind capacity and a growth plan for an additional 700–900 MW of onshore wind and photovoltaic projects by the end of the decade.
Additionally, Iberdrola has completed the first phase of construction of its first offshore wind project in France: Saint-Brieuc, with nearly 500 MW of capacity. The company estimates the farm will generate enough electricity to supply 835,000 people once operational, expected to occur “this year.”
