Project description
Cost-effective photovoltaics solutions combine solar and agriculture
Photovoltaics (PV) can assist in the decarbonisation of the energy sector. However, the adoption rate of PV rooftop systems remains slow, and large utility-scale PV installations in open fields are not feasible in many regions. The concept of agrivoltaics is emerging to overcome these challenges. The EU-funded SYMBIOSYST project will deliver standardised cost-effective solutions for agrivoltaics. This will involve developing PV modules, mounting structures, and operation and maintenance practices that meet the specific needs of different crops, climates and landscapes. The project will ensure the solutions developed are aesthetically pleasing and harmoniously integrated with farming practices.
Objective
The decarbonisation of the energy sector is one of the top priorities at various political levels including at the European level. Photovoltaics (PV) is widely seen as one of the key technologies to drive the energy transition. The difficulties arise when the targets for PV (usually set at national level) needs to be put into practice at regional / local level. Although the PV rooftop potential is extremely large and could potentially contribute to the ambitious targets, the rate of installation of PV rooftop systems will not be fast enough to support a rapid transition. On the other hand, large utility-scale PV installations in open fields are not an option in many regions. It is in this context that the concept of Agrivoltaics is emerging. What several decades of efforts developing Building Integrated PV (BIPV) products and systems for rooftops and facades have taught us is that there are multiple levels of integration and various stakeholders across the value chain which can all generate significant barriers to widespread adoption . Agrivoltaics is in fact in the unique position to learn from the past mistakes made with BIPV which delayed the development of cost-effective BIPV solutions and market acceptance. In SYMBIOSYST we will not develop solutions that are highly customized as this would drive the costs up. We will rather innovate by adapting standardized cost-effective solutions in terms of PV modules, mounting structures and Operation and Maintenance (O&M) practices to the specific needs of various crops in different climates and landscapes. We will also find aesthetically pleasing solutions that can be mass manufactured and integrated with the agricultural land in a harmonious way while maintaining the primary goal of farming. The interdisciplinary consortium in SYMBIOSYST is composed of partners across the value chain with decades of experience in agriculture, precision farming, PV modules and systems, social science and integrated PV applications.
Fields of science
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiological behavioural sciencesethologybiological interactions
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculture
- social sciences
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energysolar energyphotovoltaic
- engineering and technologycivil engineeringarchitecture engineeringsustainable architecturesustainable building
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation ActionsCoordinator
39100 Bolzano
Italy
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Participants (16)
3001 Leuven
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2628 CN Delft
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00196 Roma
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17291 Prenzlau
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3000 Leuven
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39051 Vadena
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39100 Bozen
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50132 Firenze
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
08034 Barcelona
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2628XE Delft
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
2681 TX Monster
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00142 Roma
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1495 Villers-La-Ville
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
1000 Bruxelles / Brussel
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
1630 Linkebeek
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38121 Trento
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Partners (1)
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
CO4 3ZL Colchester
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.