New decree for the development of agrivoltaics in France

In France, an imminent decree will regulate the installation of solar panels in fields, limiting agricultural yield losses to 10%.

Share:

France décret agrivoltaïsme avril 2024

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

7-Day Pass

Up to 50 articles accessible for 7 days, with no automatic renewal

3 $/week*

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles/month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 30,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

The French government will publish a decree “in the next few days” that will enable farmers to install solar panels on their land while preserving their agricultural yields. The decree stipulates that reductions in agricultural yield due to solar installations must not exceed 10%.

Decree details and criteria

According to the text consulted by AFP, the decree will require the average yield per hectare on the plot equipped with solar panels to be “greater than 90% of the average yield” observed on a control plot. This measure aims to protect agricultural efficiency from the potentially harmful impacts of agrivoltaics.

Regulatory and agronomic perspectives

The office of the Minister Delegate to the Minister of Agriculture, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, pointed out, “We wouldn’t want projects to be developed at the expense of agricultural yield, and it’s the Renewable Energy Acceleration Act that provides for this.” The law insists that any agrivoltaic project must significantly support agricultural production, offering benefits such as improved agronomic potential and protection against hazards.

Operating framework and limitations

The decree specifies that the installation of panels must not reduce arable land by more than 10%, and that panels must not cover more than 40% of any agricultural area, except in the case of proven projects. These limits ensure that agricultural production remains a priority.

Agnès Pannier-Runacher asserts that these projects “will enable green electricity to be produced on farms that will continue their agricultural activities in parallel, with food production always remaining the priority.” Roland Lescure added that it’s “better remuneration for the agricultural world, and renewable energy that we absolutely need. We’ll take stock in a year’s time.”

A parliamentary report questions the 2026 electricity pricing reform, warning of increased market exposure for households and a redistribution mechanism lacking clarity.
The US Senate has confirmed two new commissioners to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, creating a Republican majority that could reshape the regulatory approach to national energy infrastructure.
The federal government launches a CAD3mn call for proposals to fund Indigenous participation in energy and infrastructure projects related to critical minerals.
Opportunities are emerging for African countries to move from extraction to industrial manufacturing in energy technology value chains, as the 2025 G20 discussions highlight these issues.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global renewable power capacity could more than double by 2030, driven by the rise of solar photovoltaics despite supply chain pressures and evolving policy frameworks.
Algeria plans to allocate $60 billion to energy projects by 2029, primarily targeting upstream oil and gas, while developing petrochemicals, renewables and unconventional resources.
China set a record for clean technology exports in August, driven by surging sales of electric vehicles and batteries, with more than half of the growth coming from non-OECD markets.
A night-time attack on Belgorod’s power grid left thousands without electricity, according to Russian local authorities, despite partial service restoration the following morning.
The French Academy of Sciences calls for a global ban on solar radiation modification, citing major risks to climate stability and the world economy.
The halt of US federal services disrupts the entire decision-making chain for energy and mining projects, with growing risks of administrative delays and missing critical data.
Facing a potential federal government shutdown, multiple US energy agencies are preparing to suspend services and furlough thousands of employees.
A report reveals the economic impact of renewable energy losses in Chile, indicating that a 1% drop in curtailments could generate $15mn in annual savings.
Faced with growing threats to its infrastructure, Denmark raises its energy alert level in response to a series of unidentified drone flyovers and ongoing geopolitical tensions.
The Prime Minister dismissed rumours of a moratorium on renewables, as the upcoming energy roadmap triggers tensions within the sector.
Kuwait plans to develop 14.05 GW of new power capacity by 2031 to meet growing demand and reduce scheduled outages, driven by extreme temperatures and maintenance delays.
The partnership with the World Bank-funded Pro Energia+ programme aims to expand electricity access in Mozambique by targeting rural communities through a results-based financing mechanism.
The European Commission strengthens ACER’s funding through a new fee structure applied to reporting entities, aimed at supporting increased surveillance of wholesale energy market transactions.
France’s Court of Auditors is urging clarity on EDF’s financing structure, as the public utility confronts a €460bn investment programme through 2040 to support its new nuclear reactor rollout.
The U.S. Department of Energy will return more than $13bn in unspent funds originally allocated to climate initiatives, in line with the Trump administration’s new budget policy.
Under pressure from Washington, the International Energy Agency reintroduces a pro-fossil scenario in its report, marking a shift in its direction amid rising tensions with the Trump administration.

All the latest energy news, all the time

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

7 DAY PASS

Up to 50 items can be consulted for 7 days,
without automatic renewal

3$/week*

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.