Insolight, in collaboration with Agroscope, Romande Energie, and the canton of Valais, inaugurates its first agrivoltaic installation on orchard crops in Conthey. This opens a promising potential in the development of integrated solutions that combine agricultural production with solar energy generation.
The installation is part of a broader research initiative aimed at evaluating how solar infrastructure can further support fruit cultivation while contributing to renewable energy goals. Located on Agroscope’s site, this new demonstrator spans 4,000 m² and integrates apple, pear and apricot crops with a solar capacity of 242 kWp and an annual output of 300 MWh. It also serves as a testing ground for various crop protection solutions and light management systems, where all research is carried out in collaboration with Agroscope. Romande Energie acquired the installation, carried out all electrical works up to grid connection, and will operate it throughout the project’s lifetime. The electricity produced is sold to Denner, a leading distributor within the Migros Group.
With the expansion of its solutions to a greater variety of crops, and a project pipeline of over 500 MWp, mainly in Switzerland, France and Italy, Insolight is supporting the energy transition and actively helping growers protect their crops from climate change. The dual use of land approach strengthens both food security and renewable energy generation, offering a sustainable and efficient path for both sectors.
“This project reflects a commitment to the circular economy, which is fully in line with Romande Energie’s sustainability strategy and decarbonisation mission. The combination of Agroscope’s research capabilities, Insolight’s technology and Romande Energie’s expertise has resulted in this innovative project”
— Martial Genolet, Head of Solar Projects at Romande Energie.
Multifunctional infrastructure
The system features a mix of fixed and mobile structures equipped with opaque and semi-transparent panels, tailored to the specific light requirements of fruit trees. It also includes climate protection systems – nets and tarpaulins that can be deployed manually or automatically – to shield crops from hail, rain, and frost.
The installation allows researchers to compare multiple configurations in terms of light transmission and crop protection, offering valuable insights into optimising orchard management under changing climate conditions.
“This new installation demonstrates Insolight’s ability to target a variety of crop types, further expanding the potential for deployment both in Switzerland and internationally. The insolagrin solution offers protection against hail, spring frost, and heat waves – key factors in making orchards more resilient to climate change.”
— Laurent Coulot, Cofounder & CEO of Insolight.
An exemplary collaboration of private and public entities
This is the fourth agrivoltaic installation developed by the project partners since 2021, each testing different technologies and crop types. The Agroscope Conthey site now hosts four active systems, including three focused on berry crops (strawberries, raspberries and blueberries), positioning it as a national and international reference point for agrivoltaic research and experimentation.
The collaboration between public and private entities – Insolight, Romande Energie, Agroscope, and the canton of Valais – has enabled the creation of a robust platform for experimentation and data collection. The goal is to refine crop models and integrate them into Insolight’s digital management tool, Insol’insights, which supports decision-making for growers.
Supporting agriculture
“Agrivoltaics is an interesting solution for agriculture. Agri-photovoltaics tackles several key challenges: it optimises land use and protects crops from heat, solar and water stress, from hail, and – depending on the installation – also from frost. It produces local renewable energy for the farm and, finally, allows agricultural holdings to diversify their income. This public-private collaboration aims to assess the positive effects of agrivoltaics and define any potential trade-offs.”
— Christophe Carlen, Head of the Research Division Plant Production Systems at Agroscope.Source: press release
