Combining agricultural production and green energy production: this is the principle of Agrivoltaics. Photovoltaic greenhouses are part of this movement that promotes a rational agricultural model, preserving the environment, the climate and food sovereignty. In recent years, greenhouse projects integrating solar panels have multiplied in France.

What is a photovoltaic greenhouse? What are its advantages? How does it make it possible to combine agricultural production with that of renewable energies?

Committed to helping its customers control their energy budgets, SirEnergies invites you to discover this agrivoltaic solution.

What is a photovoltaic greenhouse?

The photovoltaic greenhouse — also called solar greenhouse — combines the interests of a classic greenhouse with those of a Photovoltaic power plant. It offers an ecological response to the problem of greenhouse heating, which is often singled out.

Combining agricultural and solar production

Photovoltaic greenhouses are models of agrivoltaics. They make it possible to optimize both agricultural production and solar production:

• Intensive farming system, The agricultural greenhouse promotes vegetable growing, horticulture or any other agricultural crop : vegetables, fruits and flowers can flourish under this protective shelter, protected from the vagaries of the weather. For farmers, it is almost certain to increase agricultural yields.

• Integrated directly into the greenhouse structure, Photovoltaic panels produce a renewable electricity , local and green. The farmer can choose self-consumption or resale, with the result a reduction in his energy bill and/or stable additional income.

What cultivation under a photovoltaic greenhouse?

Photovoltaic greenhouses allow many agricultural crops, from fruits to vegetables, flowers, aromatic plants and even vines.

It is also possible to opt for a very dark structure covered with solar modules, ideal for the germination of mushrooms.

How does a photovoltaic greenhouse work?

Photovoltaic greenhouses work like all solar installations.

Integrated directly into the roof of the greenhouse, The solar panels produce electricity from the Sun brightness. The encounter between the light particles (photons) and the electrons in the photovoltaic modules produces a direct electric current. This is transformed into alternating current by the inverters and injected into the internal electrical network.

The battery stores electricity to cover periods of decline in solar production. Elle is not mandatory. This depends on the option chosen by the farmer between total self-consumption, partial self-consumption and/or resale of the solar electricity produced.

What are the advantages of growing in a solar greenhouse?

Agrivoltaics solutions, photovoltaic greenhouses offer numerous advantages for farmers. They combine increased agricultural yields and cheaper energy, and this without encroaching on agricultural land and without harming France's food sovereignty.

Crop protection against the vagaries of the climate

In a photovoltaic greenhouse, agricultural crops benefit from the benefits of Solar heat And of stable climatic conditions.

THEairtight envelope protects plants from bad weather, wind gusts and excessive temperature variations. It alleviates the consequences of hailstorms or late frosts, which are becoming more and more frequent due to climate change.

An increase in agricultural yields

The solar greenhouse promotes growth of plants thanks to a good control of light and heat. It allows thelengthening of production cycles.

Elle optimizes crop rotation, thanks to earlier planting and harvesting. It also allows the farmer to diversify its productions, for example by growing agricultural products outside their area of origin (kiwi, avocado...).

By promoting local agriculture, photovoltaic greenhouses support short circuits, create local employment and secure national food sovereignty.

A drop in the electricity bill

The energy produced by photovoltaic panels can be used in self-consumption to heat the greenhouse and cover the electrical requirement. The farmer can also choose to resell the energy produced to ensure a stable income supplement.

Whether partial or total, the self-consumption of local, green and renewable energy reduces the energy bill and dependence on the public distribution network. It cushions the continuing rise in electricity and gas prices.

An image of a farmer committed to the energy transition

With the construction of a Photovoltaic greenhouse, any farmer can contribute to the national effort to promote the development of renewable energies and the energy transition.

The production of solar energy and the reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases Are assets that it can promote to demanding customers, in search of food consumption that is more respectful of the environment and the climate.

Photovoltaic greenhouse: how to control its disadvantages?

The benefits of photovoltaic greenhouses can also backfire. But these disadvantages can be controlled thanks to an optimization of the operation of the solar installation and a good management of the climatic conditions inside the greenhouse.

Optimizing the light

Plants need light for photosynthesis. The integration of solar panels on the roof must respect a luminosity favorable to the growth of plants.

Technical solutions exist with photovoltaic modules semi-transparent that let some of the light rays pass through. They are composed of crystalline cells or cells in thin layers that are partly transparent.

Control the heat

If the solar greenhouse maintains a mild heat throughout the year, extreme temperatures during heatwaves can be brutal for agricultural crops.

The solution: ensure an adequate water supply and good aeration of the greenhouse to maintain a temperature that is bearable for plants.

Protect from diseases

The hermetic envelope of the photovoltaic greenhouse protects the plantations from diseases, such as mildew. It attacks tomatoes and potatoes thanks to mild temperatures and heavy rains.

But, if a disease attacks the plants under the greenhouse, confinement contributes to its rapid spread. The maintaining good ventilation And a autonomous control of temperature and humidity protect against the risk of moisture accumulation.

Ensuring pollination

The solar greenhouse protects plants from destructive insects. But it also blocks the passage of beneficial pollinating insects.

Greenhouse cultivation can therefore force the farmer to carry out a complementary manual or mechanical pollination. It may also try to voluntarily introduce pollinating species into the building.

How much does a photovoltaic greenhouse cost?

On average, a photovoltaic greenhouse costs 10 times more than a conventional tunnel. But its lifespan is higher, more than 30 years. However, construction, maintenance and operating costs can be controlled. The technical and financial feasibility study helps to frame the project and its financing.

Optimizing the solar installation

The price of photovoltaic greenhouses varies according to several criteria: power And the acreage of the project, the number And the type of panels sunglasses, theSunshine, etc.

The construction of a solar greenhouse makes it possible tooptimize orientation and inclination solar panels to maximize renewable energy production.

On the other hand, a project to install photovoltaic modules on an existing structure will be more expensive, due to the complexity of the work. The difficulty? Guarantee the solidity and watertightness of the existing building.

Mobilizing financial aid

Farmers benefit fromfinancial aid for the financing of photovoltaic greenhouses. In particular, they have access to the Self-consumption bonus. Its amount varies according to the power of the photovoltaic power plant.

In addition, some local authorities pay subsidies to encourage the development of renewable energies and solar self-consumption. The Chambers of Agriculture are the main contacts for farmers to inform them about local aid.

Calculate additional savings and income

The feasibility study of a photovoltaic greenhouse project must also take into account savings on the electricity bill. With the continuous increase in energy prices, the savings are exponential year by year.

In case of resale of all or part of solar energy produced, the solar greenhouse also guarantees the farmer a regular and stable income. This additional income offers financial visibility, in a sector of activity with random salaries.

Have your solar greenhouse financed by an investor?

To facilitate the financing of a solar building, some investors offer the full or partial coverage of construction work, as well as maintenance and operating costs of the photovoltaic greenhouse.

However, this offer is not not compatible with self-consumption. The installation is in fact operated by the investor who earns money on the sale of the solar energy produced. The farmer only becomes the owner of the greenhouse and the solar panels after the end of the lease for a period of 20 to 30 years.

Photovoltaic greenhouses are an interesting solution for farmers who want to save on their energy bills, while committed to the development of renewable energies and sustainable agriculture. The first step in a solar greenhouse construction project? Have a feasibility study carried out by a specialized and approved company. SirEnergies can support you and put you in touch with our partners.