On January 15, at the Sival trade show in Angers, Photosol, Fruits Rouges & Co and Insolight signed an ambitious partnership agreement. The aim: to develop an innovative agrivoltaic demonstrator on the “Fruits Rouges Campus”. This project aims to gather valuable data on the agro-economic impact of this innovative insolagrin solution for red fruit production, and marks a decisive step in the quest for local, sustainable and competitive production.
A response to the challenges facing the berry industry
With consumption up 35% over the last five years, red fruit is becoming increasingly popular with the French. However, 87% of raspberries consumed in France are still imported, due to a lack of local production. Fruits Rouges & Co, a pioneer in the marketing of red fruit since 1990, has set itself an ambitious target: to triple its share of French production by 2028.
To meet this challenge, the company was quick to consider agrivoltaics as an effective solution, both technically – thanks to optimum protection for the fruit – and economically, with electricity production guaranteeing the additional income needed for the installation.
A solution for innovation
French solar energy company Photosol has joined forces with Fruits Rouges & Co and Insolight to set up a partnership and initial pilot project.
Photosol therefore deployed the demonstrator on the Campus with an agrivoltaic solution developed by Insolight: “insolagrin”. This innovative solution with semi-transparent solar panels is an alternative to plastic tunnels. This solution protects fruit from bad weather, reduces evapotranspiration and optimizes water use, while automatically adjusting shading thanks to climate sensors, continuous monitoring and control controlled by “insol’insights” software.
Campus Fruits Rouges: a laboratory for the future
This agrivoltaic demonstrator is installed on the Campus Fruits Rouges, located in Allemant in the Aisne region, on the farm of Thomas Magnien, grower and project manager. Raspberry, strawberry and blueberry crops will be monitored for 5 years to assess the agronomic and economic benefits of the solution.
But the project goes even further: the Campus Fruits Rouges aims to become a true center of exchange and innovation for producers and players in the sector, at both regional and national level. It will embody a place where sustainable practices and technological solutions come together to strengthen French agricultural sovereignty.
Energy-positive fruit production
Fruits Rouges & Co, thanks to a 20-year renewable energy purchase contract with Photosol, uses solar electricity from the Fruits Rouges Campus for its fruit cooling and preservation needs. This partnership embodies an innovative vision initiated and developed by Insolight with the “positive energy fruit” brand for this new category of fruit growing under agrivoltaic installations, aiming to combine sustainability, respect for natural resources and quality, while raising consumer awareness of this virtuous model.
“This partnership is fully in line with Photosol’s strategy of developing innovative agrivoltaic projects hand in hand with major players in the agricultural sector, such as Fruits Rouges & Co. Setting up this demonstrator at the heart of the Fruits Rouges Campus will enable us to acquire key data and feedback with a view to deploying projects with berry growers. We are therefore delighted to seal this long-term partnership today, and look forward to tasting the first raspberries, strawberries and blueberries produced under our facilities!” Thomas Aubagnac, Photosol Deputy Managing Director.
“At Fruits Rouges & Co, we are committed to ensuring the sustainability of existing red berry production chains, while actively supporting growers in their daily challenges. This partnership with Photosol and Insolight represents a fantastic opportunity to accelerate the development of innovative solutions, while meeting the challenges of sustainability and food sovereignty. Our ambition is clear: to offer growers concrete tools to increase their production while preserving quality, the environment and natural resources. We are proud to contribute to transforming the red fruit industry into a model of sustainable agricultural excellence. Sylvie Cathelain President, Fruits Rouges & Co, Mélanie Marchand General Manager, Fruits Rouges & Co.
“We are extremely pleased to be part of the Campus Fruits Rouges project, which is a flagship facility for this type of crop in France. Thanks to the combined expertise of all the partners, it will enable advanced agronomic and economic analyses for berry growers. We warmly thank the Fruits Rouges & Co project partners and Photosol for their trust and collaboration, and now look forward to planting the crops for the next phase of operation.” Laurent Coulot, Managing Director of Insolight.