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It is an ambitious scientific device which starts in the spring in Villenave-d'Ornon (Gironde), in the Bordeaux metropolis.
EDF Nouvelle-Aquitaine will inaugurate in a few months "
Vitisolar
", "
an experimental project of agrivoltaism on vines
", carried out in collaboration with several institutional players in the region, which consists of the installation of "
bifacial orientable photovoltaic panels
" over 2000 meters squares of a parcel of Merlot, in order to study the impact of agrivoltaism on the vine in the long term.
For five years, from the installation of this device, "
EDF and its partners will endeavor to analyze the compatibility of the photovoltaic structure with the vine, by studying the benefits of a structure which would shelter the vine in the event of bad weather or during periods of drought, the health of the plant (growth, need for water, diseases), while respecting agricultural practices and biodiversity
".
The shade structures could also regulate temperatures in the event of frost and reduce damage from climatic hazards such as hail.
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Vitisolar brings together many partners, including the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (Inrae), which is hosting this experiment on its Grande Ferrade site, but also the University of Bordeaux and the Gironde Chamber of Agriculture.
The project is financially supported by the region, by the Environment and Energy Management Agency (Ademe) and by the European Union.
"The vine requires a lot of attention"
"
This partnership aims to achieve an agrivoltaic solution based on a structure adapted to the vine
", in "
a wine-growing region particularly impacted by climate change
", specifies EDF.
This project should provide “
valuable feedback on technological, agricultural and environmental levels for the development of future agrivoltaic projects in the region
”.
Martin Leÿs, Director of EDF Regional Action in New Aquitaine, does not hide his enthusiasm for Vitisolar.
"
This is the first time that a national company like ours has come to support the agricultural sector for this electricity production
", by "
tracing and studying the scientific results of agrivoltaism on the vine
".
Recalling that "
the vine is a specific crop, which requires a lot of attention
", Martin Leÿs recalls that several experiments have already been carried out by EDF, but only "
on less noble crops
", such as "
alfalfa or squash
".
Description of the principle of the Vitisolar collaborative agrivoltaism project.
DR / EDF Renewables
The Vitisolar project plans to install the solar panels high up, to "
allow enough light to pass through so that the vines develop harmoniously and can maintain their quality
", adds Martin Leÿs.
An important issue for the wine sector, hard hit in recent months in the department.
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For Thierry Mazet, general manager of the Gironde Chamber of Agriculture, this agrivoltaic study must be duplicated in the rest of the department.
But he underlines the question of appellations, which are very important for the sector.
"
If we put in a photovoltaic panel, we lose the name
", he regrets, hoping soon "to
develop this experiment in conjunction with the Inao
" (National Institute of Origin and Quality), to "
see if there is a difference in the quality of the wine
” between the grapes growing under solar panels and the others.
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