Vernier et al. (2026) Agrivoltaic systems can improve agricultural yield by mitigating extreme plant temperatures

Identification

• Journal: Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-10-03
• Authors: J.‐P. Vernier, Sylvain Edouard, Éric Dupont, Vincent Trotin, Didier Combes, Patrick Massin
• DOI: 10.1016/j.agrformet.2026.111502

Research Groups

• CEREA (Centre d'Enseignement et de Recherche en Environnement et Agronomie), École des Ponts, EDF R&D, France
• TREE (Technologies Renouvelables pour l'Energie), EDF R&D, France
• MFEE (Mécanique, Fluides, Énergétique), EDF R&D, France
• NT (Nanterre), EDF power solutions, France
• UR4 - URP3F (Unité de Recherche 4 - Unité de Recherche Plantes et Forêts), INRAE, France

Short Summary

This study investigates the impact of agrivoltaic systems on plant temperature and agricultural yield. The results show that PV panels can mitigate extreme temperature events by creating a cooler microclimate beneath them during heat waves and a warmer microclimate during cold nights.

Objective

• Investigate the effect of agrivoltaic systems on plant temperature and agricultural yield under extreme temperature conditions

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Local, at the experimental APV power plant in Fontainebleau, France
• Temporal Scale: Daily to seasonal, covering a period of 2025's winter, spring, and summer

Methodology and Data

• Models used:
  • Farquhar photosynthesis model
  • STICS crop growth model
• Data sources:
  • Experimental measurements at the APV power plant in Fontainebleau, France
  • Numerical simulations using PVNOV (a reverse ray-tracing model of irradiance) and STICS

Main Results

• Plant surface temperature beneath PV panels is up to 12°C lower than in a control zone without PV panels during extreme heat events.
• PV panels help maintain positive plant surface temperatures during radiation-driven spring nights.
• The loss of water in the APV zone is slightly lower than that in the control zone under standard sunny conditions, but more than doubles under hot and dry conditions.

Contributions

• This study provides experimental evidence for the impact of agrivoltaic systems on plant temperature and agricultural yield under extreme temperature conditions.
• The results highlight the importance of considering the microclimate modifications induced by PV panels when evaluating their effects on plant growth.

Funding

• This research was funded by EDF R&D, INRAE, and the French National Research Agency (ANR).

Citation

@article{Vernier2026Agrivoltaic,
  author = {Vernier, J.‐P. and Edouard, Sylvain and Dupont, Éric and Trotin, Vincent and Combes, Didier and Massin, Patrick},
  title = {Agrivoltaic systems can improve agricultural yield by mitigating extreme plant temperatures},
  journal = {Agricultural and Forest Meteorology},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1016/j.agrformet.2026.111502},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2026.111502}
}