insolagrin – Conthey (VS) is a 165 ㎡ agrivoltaic pilot installation that demonstrates the replacement of agricultural plastic tunnels by solar modules. The pilot is installed on top of raspberries and strawberries in Conthey (VS), at the heart a major fruit production region in Switzerland.

More than a simple solar installation, insolagrin is a new tool for farmers. It enables dynamic adjustment of light, optimizing crops’ growth over seasons and variable climatic conditions. The excess sunlight is harvested into electricity, enabling a dual use of land – without tradeoffs.

The project is led by 3 partners, who combine key areas of expertise. Insolight provides the solar modules and the control system based on the THEIA technology, combining efficiency and adjustable translucency. The energy output is quantified by Romande Energie, who has built and operates the agrivoltaic installation. The impact on crop yield and quality is assessed by Agroscope, the Swiss federal centre of excellence for research and development in the agriculture, food and environment sector.

The project is supported by the P+D programme of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE), Innosuisse and CSEM started in June 2021 and will last 4 years. The detailed energy yield and agronomic results will be instrumental to open large deployments: Berries alone represent > 220’000 Ha in Europe – equivalent to a > 300 GWp potential.