Since 2018, Fraunhofer Chile has been pioneering a solution that resolves the competition for land between agriculture and energy: Agrivoltaics. By implementing three pilot plants in Curacaví, El Monte, and Lampa, the goal has been to drive the development of a system that harmonizes farming with electricity generation, maximizing the utility of every hectare.
Agrivoltaic systems (Agri PV) are more than just solar panels on farmland; they are a strategic response to climate change. By integrating photovoltaic modules directly above or between crops, the system creates a powerful synergy. While the panels capture abundant solar radiation to generate clean energy, they simultaneously shield crops from extreme weather threats—such as hail, frost, and excessive heat—effectively reducing soil moisture evaporation and plant transpiration.
Backed by the Metropolitan Regional Government's Competitiveness Innovation Fund (FIC-R), these pilot sites function as real-world laboratories. Each location features an installed capacity of 13 kWp, generating up to 20.8 MWh annually and offsetting 8.8 tons of CO2 emissions.
Beyond the energy metrics, this ongoing research has successfully validated the dual-benefit model of Agri PV. The results confirm that it is possible to strengthen agricultural resilience against water scarcity and climate stress while contributing significantly to the solar energy market.