Webtool for Stakeholders in the Agrophotovoltaics Sector

The Catholic University of Leuven from Belgium, partner in EAGER project  – “Easing AGrophotovoltaics for EuRope”, co-funded by the Interreg Europe Programme 2021-2027 presents within the framework of the Project to European stakeholders a useful agrivoltaics webtool, which can for example be used by:

• Farmers:  A farmer can independently compare different agrivoltaics systems in terms of the amount and homogeneity of light still going to crops, potential energy yield and theoretically expected crop yield. The farmer can then use the knowledge and experience gained from using this tool to consult with a project developer to discuss the financial and technical side in more detail.
• Project developers: A project developer often has a lot of knowledge about the technical and economic side of the PV installation, but the impact of this installation on the underlying crops is often less known to them. This tool can be used to achieve a better design for the crops limiting the light reduction as much as possible.
• Policymakers: Another possible application of this tool is its use as a policy instrument. For example, the government or the licensing authority can stipulate certain requirements in terms of light quantity and light distribution in order to get a permit, which can then easily be checked with this tool. The tool’s public availability allows project developers to continuously consider this during their design phase of the agrivoltaic system.