Agrivoltaics: what are the challenges and what role for the Park?

On Saturday, September 12, a public meeting dedicated to agrivoltaics was held in Saint-Mathieu. At the request of the municipality, the Regional Natural Park was present to provide its technical expertise and to reiterate its role in supporting and analyzing renewable energy projects.

On this occasion, Jean Le Goff, Vice-President of the Park, and Muriel Lehericy, Project Manager, recalled several essential points.

A now precise framework for agrivoltaics

Agrivoltaics is not simply about installing photovoltaic panels on farmland. Regulations stipulate that these installations must contribute sustainably to maintaining or developing agricultural production. Agricultural activity must remain the primary activity on the plot, and the installation must be reversible.

The development of agrivoltaics must therefore reconcile agricultural production, renewable energy production, landscape preservation and protection of natural and agricultural heritage.

The Park provides an opinion, but does not issue the permits.

The Park's joint association can be consulted to provide its expertise and offer an opinion on renewable energy projects. This opinion is advisory: the Park neither authorizes nor prohibits projects.

For energy production facilities where the energy produced is not primarily intended for direct use by the applicant, the competent authority to issue the planning permission is the prefect.

The Park therefore intervenes primarily in a role of expertise, support and assistance in addressing the challenges of the territory.

Special attention will be paid to landscapes, biodiversity and agricultural areas

In analyzing the projects submitted to it, the Park pays particular attention to their integration into the landscape as well as their potential impacts on natural heritage, ecological continuity and agricultural areas.

The following are examined in particular: the proximity of protected areas and environmental zoning, green and blue corridors, the presence of natural grasslands, biodiversity issues and the landscape and agronomic characteristics of the sectors concerned.

This analysis aims to identify sensitive areas and to seek better consideration of environmental, landscape and agricultural issues in the design of projects.

The charter and the Park plan as a reference framework

Projects envisaged within the territory of the Park must also be examined in accordance with the guidelines of the charter and the Park plan.

The Environmental Code specifies that the charter constitutes the project for the Regional Natural Park. It defines, in particular, guidelines for protection, enhancement, and development, as well as landscape quality objectives. Its plan identifies the different zones of the Park and their purpose.

Local authorities and public institutions that have approved the charter commit to implementing its guidelines and measures within their respective areas of responsibility. Urban planning documents must, under the conditions stipulated by law, be compatible with the charter.

The charter and park plan of the Périgord-Limousin Regional Natural Park are currently being revised for the period 2026-2041.

To ensure that these different issues are effectively taken into account, the Park recommends that communities and project promoters involve it as early as possible, from the initial discussions on the location and design of a project.