S16 - Session O2 - Keynote: Agrivoltaic systems: an innovative technique to protect fruit trees from climate change

Authors: Gerardo Lopez Velasco *, Jérôme Chopard, Severine Persello, Perrine Juillion, Vincent Lesniak, Gilles Vercambre, Michel Génard, Damien Fumey

Climate change is expected to increase the occurrence of late frosts, hailstorms, heavy rains, drought episodes and heat waves. These extreme events can have a devastating effect on fruit tree production. The scientific community has shown that fruit trees can be protected of some extreme events using shading nets, that are nowadays a common practice in some fruit orchards. At the same time, a new protection technique has also been developed: agrivoltaic systems where photovoltaic solar panels are positioned above the trees. We present a review on the topic to illustrate how agrivoltaics has evolved from its conception and the systems that are currently available. Then, we will detail one of the most innovative techniques called the dynamic agrivoltaic systems, that consist of solar panels that can rotate in an angle of +/- 90° to adjust the level of shading in the orchard. Examples of how dynamic solar panels can be oriented to provide protection against climate hazards are presented. Finally, we report about the management of dynamic solar panels and how it is possible to expose trees to incoming light when necessary and shade the trees to protect them when extreme weather conditions are forecasted. The smart management mixes the knowledge acquired from ongoing field research and crop modelling activities. A crop model that combines a water balance, an energy balance, a whole-tree carbon budget and their interactions has been developed to predict the performance of trees grown under solar panels. The crop model produces three agronomical indicators: tree water potential, canopy temperature and carbohydrate assimilation available for organ growth to determine the orientation of solar panels in real-time. Agrivoltaic systems may be then an efficient tool to protect fruit trees from the deleterious impact of climate change.