• An agrivoltaic system is one in which agricultural and photovoltaic production coexist to generate economic synergy together, always prioritizing agricultural activity over energy.
• This event provided first-hand insight into how agrivoltaic systems combine agricultural activity with energy production, their expectations, and their current state of development.

The agricultural sector is one of the economic sectors most affected by climate change and, at the same time, can provide solutions to the necessary transition toward more environmentally sustainable models, helping to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. For this reason , in recent years, agrivoltaic systems , which are in rapid development and still remain unknown to much of the public, have gained a foothold in the sector.

To publicize these systems, the PAC Network organized a conference on the " Status of Agrivoltaics in Spain " in the auditorium of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food (MAPA) on April 8th . More than 200 people involved in the field attended, both in person and online , demonstrating the great interest generated by agrivoltaics. This meeting covered all the information related to these systems, starting with their definition. During the presentations, it was emphasized that an agrivoltaic system combines agricultural and energy-related economic activity, with the installation of photovoltaic panels alongside agricultural production, but that the predominant activity is always agricultural.

Program of the day

The activities carried out by the MAPA (National Energy Agency) and the support for innovative renewable energy projects (including agrivoltaic projects) offered by the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE) were shared. Additionally, the current legislation regarding these systems and the proposals being enacted to protect them were addressed. The current situation of agrivoltaics in Catalonia and neighboring France was explained, and specific examples of this activity in Spain carried out by different entities were presented: the Platform for a New Energy Model , the University of Córdoba , the Murcian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research and Development (IMIDA) , the Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development (NEIKER) , the Polytechnic University of Madrid , and PowerfulTree .

At the end of each session, there was a question-and-answer session from the other attendees, who were particularly interested in the possibility of developing photovoltaic technologies in collaboration with other areas, such as forests or pastures. In response, the "bottom-up" approach to the agrivoltaic sector was emphasized, which will be implemented step by step without ruling out its expansion into other sectors.

In summary, the objectives covered by the day were:

• To publicize the actions carried out by the Administration related to agrivoltaic systems.
• To deepen knowledge and experience regarding agrivoltaic installations in Spain.
• Analyze the opportunities and obstacles to the development of agrivoltaics in Spain.

The progress of the day can be seen on the YouTube channel of the PAC Network.