Solarplaza Summit Agri-PV Europe

Wednesday 4 October 2023

Program

08:40

Registration & Welcome Coffee

30 min.

Session Topics:

SESSION 1

The Make-up of Agri-PV

09:25

Opening by Solarplaza

presentation

15 min.

Dee Yon Chng

Solarplaza

Session Topics:

09:40

Around the World in Agri-PV: A Research Overview & Best Project Practices

presentation

20 min.

An engaging session designed to take attendees on a global journey, exploring the exciting field of Agri-PV (Agriculture-Photovoltaics) and shedding light on the latest research findings and best practices from successful projects Europe and World-wide

Matthew Berwind

Fraunhofer

Session Topics:

The why and urgency of agrivoltaics
Towards a clear definition "agrivoltaics"
Status of Agri-PV projects in Europe and globally
Evolution and technological improvement overview
Knowledge and research gaps

10:00

Varieties of Agri-PV: Chances and Challenges

presentation

20 min.

Agri-PV is as diverse as the farming sector. This diversity provides a great change to the industry, but it also comes with it's own challenges. Designed to translate the research of the previous session into a real world setting, this session bridges the gap between science and industry and approaches the diversities within agri-PV varieties at the detailed project level. It provides insights on the complexity of offering multiple Agri-PV solutions, the need of high internal and external Agri-PV quality standards, and approaches the detailed project level. Find out what main debates, policies and market movements concern leading agri-PV stakeholders.

Stephan Schindele

BayWa r.e.

Session Topics:

What the market understands as Agri-PV
Types of agri-PV projects - key practical and technical considerations
The 5C-Tool to optimize quality of Agri-PV projects development

10:20

The Who, What, When of an Agri-PV Project

panel

35 min.

This panel brings to light the perspective and interactions between the diverse stakeholders involved in a basic agri-PV project so that attendees can visualize this multi-actor development pathway.

moderator

Matthew Berwind

Fraunhofer

Alessio Pinzone

RINA

Neige Breant

Sun'Agri

Marco Caminiti

Eurowind

Matteo Demofonti

Valmont Solar

Marco Muscettola

Lexia Avvocati

Session Topics:

Critical success factors of key stakeholders in an agri-PV project
Dynamics and interrelation of between stakeholders
Key parameters for each phase of development
Key considerations, needs and risks borne

10:55

Morning Networking Break

Last year, 85% Of attendees said they made a valuable business connection during the conference. As you plan your attendance this year, remember to leverage Solarplaza networking app to ensure that you make the connections you want to make.

Session Topics:

SESSION 2

Achieving Harmony between Land, Farm and Sun

11:40

Laws of the Land: Legislations and Regulations

presentation

20 min.

Rolando Roberto

ITALIA SOLARE

Session Topics:

Summary of the legislative and regulatory improvements in Italy
Outcomes of the incentive scheme for "innovative agrivoltaic systems"
Open question: Should there be a European standard for Agri-PV systems that will follow harmonized Agri-PV policies in Italy?

12:00

One Step Closer to Permitting: Understanding How Agri-pv Works in the Real World

presentation

20 min.

Since 2012, photovoltaic plants built on agricultural lands could not benefit from RES incentives. This prohibition has been superseded by way of recent law provisions, many of which implementing PNRR and PNIEC goals, that have introduced a number of simplifications on the permitting. However, the access to incentives and to the simplified procedure for Agri-PV is subject to compliance with the criteria set out by the 2022 Guidelines on Agrivoltaic Installations, as well as with some further agricultural subjective requirements. Let's discuss a little deeper what it's about.

Stefano Lucarini

Tonucci & Partners

Stefano Lucarini

Partner

Tonucci & Partners

Stefano Lucarini is an Equity Partner of Tonucci & Partners Law Firm, and he is working in the renewables since 2004. He has strong experience in advising domestic and foreign clients in contractual matters related to the development of energy plants. He also assists the clients in the entire range of the M&A transactions (seller and purchaser’s side), including those promoted by Real Estate Funds, in respect of which also grants assistance in regulatory matters, and also experienced a significant number of banking & finance transactions, (lender and borrower side) both in the form of project finance and leasing (or sale and lease back), dealing with the drafting and negotiation of the contracts and with the Due Diligence process. Currently, he advises on regular basis various Italian and foreign companies, as well as certain Italian SGR managing Real Estate Funds, a Danish private equity Fund, and financial institution as leasing companies and Italian banks, as well as developers and producers. He is also part of the expert group of the Italian Association for Energy Renewable Offshore (AERO).

Session Topics:

The central role of the Guidelines in our system: a short guide to the Guidelines;
The need for certainty of the Italian public administration: some practical cases and a proposal for a possible solution;
Navigating the relationship with farming activities: corporate & contractual hints.
The cultivation issue: a possible way through the conflict between the PAC and Agri-PV for the lands to be cultivated.

12:20

Introductory Presentation: Working With the Agricultural Sector

presentation

20 min.

To set the scene, this presentation explores how research and information flow to and from the agricultural sector, and gets translated into practice as well as summarizes the perspectives of enterprises towards Agrivoltaic projects.

Marleen Gysen

Boerenbond

Session Topics:

The importance of translating research into practice in Agri-PV
Farmer and landowner perspective of agrivoltaics
Key learnings from the Boerenbond discovery road trip across Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands

12:40

Farmers and Developers: a Roundtable Dialogue on Expectations and Working Together

panel

30 min.

A roundtable discussion featuring different farmer and landowner perspectives across regional Europe, alongside key stakeholders from the EPC/ construction field to engage in a thoughtful dialogue.

moderator

Marleen Gysen

Boerenbond

Elena Rasheva

Evklips Energy

Audrey Juillac

Fédération Française des Producteurs Agrivoltaiques (FFPA)

Camille Oliveau

TSE Energy

Francesco Gerevini

APIS Consulting

Andrea Colantoni

University of Tuscia

Session Topics:

Methods of Policy and Stakeholder Engagement
Different farmer perspectives, their specific requirements and pain points
Case study examples and challenges
Can the electrificiation of the agricultural sector save some of its dependency issues on oil and gas

13:10

Networking Lunch

Mingle with the mixed crowd of local and international stakeholders, developers, service providers, investors, and more!

Session Topics:

SESSION 3

Delving into the practical and the technical

14:40

RWE’s Agri-PV demonstration plant at Garzweiler Mine

presentation

20 min.

This is the first session of four, that will present a technical deep-dive by analyzing three types of Agrivoltaic models.

Fabian Neu

RWE

Marco Mazzi

RWE

Session Topics:

RWE’s Agri-PV demonstration plant on recultivated land at Garzweiler Mine
Three innovative technical solutions
Land revitalization, soil health and biodiversity
Agrivoltaics as an enhancement of regenerative agriculture

15:00

A Case Study on Arable Farming Agri-PV Models

presentation

20 min.

Sascha Krause-Tünker

Next2sun

Session Topics:

Crop-specific considerations
Studying the impacts of shading, microclimate changes, and solar radiation on crop growth and yield
Optimal design and configuration
Specialty crop production"

15:20

Maximizing Yields and Agri-PV System Performances

presentation

20 min.

Noam Schwartz

SolarEdge

Session Topics:

The importance of MLPE and related safety features

15:40

How can Technology Support Agri-PV Growth: Best Practices & A Better Business Case

panel

35 min.

moderator

Valeria Viti

Legance

Constantin Klyk

Zimmermann PV-Steel Group

Miguel Herrero

PVcase

Alessandro Migliorini

European Energy

Fabian Neu

RWE

Session Topics:

Balancing efficiency, accuracy, and quality of design and engineering processes throughout the lifecycle of a project
How to manage uncertainty and risk in the Agri-PV and agricultural simulations
Best Practice and Sustainable Agrisolar Guidelines
Case studies and pilot projects
Points for technical and design improvement
Technology and knowledge gaps

16:15

Afternoon Networking Break

No missed connections at our conference! Use our networking app to ensure you don't miss a beat and connect with anyone attending as the day of insight draws to a close.

Session Topics:

SESSION 4

Making Agri-PV Resilient and Future-Proof: Opportunities, Visions and Inspiration

17:10

Sow Me the Money: Yielding Maximum Results in Agri-PV

presentation

20 min.

Online presentation

Miriam Di Blasi

Enel Green Power

Session Topics:

Optimization (what factors underpin achieving maximum results) and end responsibility
Optimizing savings: water, cost
Optimizing yield: crop rotation, soil health
Considering different weather conditions
Modelling

17:30

Exploring the Scalability of Agri-PV Across Europe

panel

40 min.

moderator

Dee Yon Chng

Solarplaza

Jean-Charles Arrago

Eiffel Investment Group

Jean-Charles Arrago

Director

Eiffel Investment Group

Jean-Charles is a Director, fund manager in the energy transition Infrastructure team. He has significantly contributed to setting-up two strategic partnerships to develop and build Agri-PV projects in Italy, alongside the integrated European developers Green Genius and Pacifico Energy Partners (please see press articles below). These partnerships have been entered into by the “Eiffel Transition Infrastructure” fund, an equity infrastructure fund managed by Eiffel. He is deeply involved in the financing of renewable projects in Europe. Prior to joining Eiffel, he spent 15 years at Total Energies in various senior positions : head of M&A and strategy for the renewable energy division, in charge of renewable energy project development in the middle east, in charge of the long-term financing of Total Energies. He has a long track record in negotiating partnerships in the renewable energy space and has worked on several M&A transactions. He holds a master in finance from IAE Paris (2012) and graduated from Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines de St Etienne (2003).

Jiří Bím

Czech Solar Association (Solární Asociace)

Emilien Simonot

Lightsource bp

Jonathan Rotenberg

Olympia Engineering

Tomasz Poskier

Corab

Session Topics:

Assessing the economic feasibility and market potential of agrivoltaics in Europe
Understanding the challenges, and opportunities to drive the adoption of agrivoltaics at a larger scale
Identifying business models that can drive large-scale market adoption
Principles and best practices for scalability

18:10

Conference Wrap-up

10 min.

Dee Yon Chng

Solarplaza

Session Topics:

Key Lessons learned
Closing Quiz Game
Explanation for the Networking Event

18:20

Closing Networking Drinks

Grab a soft drink, glass of wine, or a nice cold beer, and discuss the shining solar ambitions for the coming year!

Session Topics:

19:00

Networking Event

Enjoy the ultimate cocktail of innovation and networking at our exclusive mixer this year. We're bringing together the vibrant community of attendees from both our innovation-focused solar events, merging the Networking Events from our Agri-PV and Floating-PV summits. Benefit from the knowledge and inspiration that your solar colleagues from the floating arena gained throughout the day and learn about the similarities and potential synergies between these two novel PV applications. Don't miss out on this opportunity to maximize your experience and expand your professional network in an informal way.

Session Topics:

Solarplaza Summit | Agri-PV Europe

Registration & Welcome Coffee

The Make-up of Agri-PV

Opening by Solarplaza

Around the World in Agri-PV: A Research Overview & Best Project Practices

Varieties of Agri-PV: Chances and Challenges

The Who, What, When of an Agri-PV Project

Achieving Harmony between Land, Farm and Sun

Laws of the Land: Legislations and Regulations

One Step Closer to Permitting: Understanding How Agri-pv Works in the Real World

Introductory Presentation: Working With the Agricultural Sector

Farmers and Developers: a Roundtable Dialogue on Expectations and Working Together

Delving into the practical and the technical

RWE’s Agri-PV demonstration plant at Garzweiler Mine

A Case Study on Arable Farming Agri-PV Models

Maximizing Yields and Agri-PV System Performances

How can Technology Support Agri-PV Growth: Best Practices & A Better Business Case

Making Agri-PV Resilient and Future-Proof: Opportunities, Visions and Inspiration

Sow Me the Money: Yielding Maximum Results in Agri-PV

Exploring the Scalability of Agri-PV Across Europe

Conference Wrap-up