AGRIVOLT-ER
About this good practice
The AGRIVOLT-ER project address the growing need to balance agricultural productivity with renewable energy generation by focusing on the initial, critical phase of agrivoltaic system development: defining Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). These indicators allow for a precise evaluation of how agrivoltaic systems interact with crops and their surrounding environment, ensuring their sustainability and effectiveness.
The project was funded under the PR FESR Emilia-Romagna 2021–2027, focusing on collaborative research between academic institutions and industry. Stakeholders, including farmers, energy companies, and policymakers, participated in structured workshops and consultations facilitated by local authorities. The primary outcome was a validated set of KPIs addressing four key dimensions:
1. Agronomic: Metrics such as Relative Agricultural Yield (RAR), measuring crop productivity under agrivoltaic conditions compared to full sunlight;
2. Environmental: Indicators like the Land Equivalent Ratio (LER), assessing the combined productivity of land for energy and agriculture;
3. Energy: Metrics like Energy Yield (YE) and specific energy efficiency (Yoe), evaluating photovoltaic performance;
4. Economic: The Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), quantifying the financial viability of systems.
These KPIs were developed through a participatory process, ensuring that they reflect local needs while aligning with broader goals of the Just Energy Transition.
Resources needed
AGRIVOLT-ER Phase I – State of the art and mapping of the experiences: 100.000 euro
Funded through regional development programs such as the PSR-FESR Emilia-Romagna 2021–2027, to organize workshops, conduct stakeholder consultations, and finalize the KPI framework.
Evidence of success
The project successfully engaged a diverse group of stakeholders, ensuring the development of KPIs that are both scientifically robust and practically applicable. The KPI framework now serves as a reference tool for evaluating agrivoltaic systems, providing clear benchmarks for balancing agricultural and energy outputs. This work has laid the foundation for future pilot projects, enabling systematic assessment of agrivoltaic performance and its alignment with sustainability goals
Potential for learning or transfer
The AGRIVOLT-ER project highlights the importance of a structured, participatory approach to developing agrivoltaic systems. By focusing on stakeholder engagement and KPI development, the project demonstrates how regions can create tailored frameworks to guide renewable energy projects. The defined indicators are readily transferable, offering a replicable methodology for evaluating agrivoltaic systems across diverse contexts.
Additionally, the project emphasizes the role of local policy authorities in aligning innovative practices with regional and EU directives, such as the Just Energy Transition goals. This ensures that agrivoltaic systems are not only technically viable but also socially and environmentally sustainable
Further information
Documents
REPORT SCIENTIFICO SUGLI INDICI DI PERFORMANCE PER GLI IMPIANTI AGRIVOLTAICI (SCIENTIFIC REPORT ON PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FOR AGRIVOLTAIC SYSTEMS.pdf
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
AESS - AGENZIA PER L'ENERGIA E LO SVILUPPO SOSTENIBILE