Promoting the benefits of your solar project
Solar energy is being harnessed to increase the share of renewable energy, both for heat generation (solar thermal) and electricity generation (solar photovoltaic).
Depending on the equipment used, we refer to flat-plate solar systems (panels and collectors positioned to face the sun), concentrated solar power (using Fresnel lenses), and solar trackers (panels that pivot on their axis like sunflowers to maximize sunlight exposure).
Where and how should solar panels be installed?
Solar professionals have a wide range of surfaces to choose from for installing solar panels; the goal is to make use of surfaces that already serve another purpose, while ensuring they are located near the electrical grid (to minimize connection costs and installation work) and near where the electricity will be used.
Building roofs meet all these criteria, as do certain facades when they are well-exposed. Certain bodies of water are also suitable. The choice of location must be evaluated based on how the energy produced will be used. For example, installing photovoltaic shade structures in a parking lot should be considered in conjunction with the installation of charging stations for electric vehicles in that same parking lot.
AFNOR Energies can help you size your solar power system to assess your electricity generation potential and determine the project’s profitability.
AFNOR Compétences provides training in best practices for solar energy. Check out our Job Description: “Solar Photovoltaic Project Manager”
What is agrivoltaics?
Agrivoltaics involves installing solar panels in agricultural settings—not on the roofs of farms and barns, but on plots of land used for crop cultivation and livestock farming. The sector is supported by the March 10, 2023, law on accelerating renewable energy production.
However, the legislation makes their development contingent on a commitment: that the projects prioritize agricultural production over energy production. Project developers must therefore ensure that the presence of the panels is not a hindrance but rather an asset to the farmland. For example, the shade provided by the panels over vineyards in southern France helps mitigate scorching temperatures in the summer.
The development of the agrivoltaic sector is supported by the government. In winter, however, these structures can help mitigate the impact of late frosts. They also allow for the installation of nets to protect against hail or certain unwanted animals.
A certification program for field crops—and soon for livestock
Developed in collaboration with industry professionals and administered by AFNOR Certification, the Agrivoltaic Project label certifies projects that promote agricultural production and sustainably improve the performance of both the plot of land and the farm.
The certification program is involved from the design phase through to the operational phase. It serves as a mark of trust and transparency for stakeholders and assesses the project’s agricultural priority and quality.
Key takeaways
- Solar energy is being harnessed to increase the share of renewable energy.
- Agrivoltaics involves installing solar panels in agricultural settings on plots of land used for crop cultivation and livestock farming.$
- The Agrivoltaic Project label is used to designate a project that supports agricultural production.
