Switzerland recently opened a fruit tree orchard that combines fruit production with solar panels. This unique combination is being tested at an experimental farm near Conthey (Valais), where the installation was unveiled on September 18, 2025.
The orchard covers approximately 4,000 m² and integrates apple, pear, and apricot fruit trees beneath solar panels. According to the developers, the orchard is expected to generate around 300 MWh of electrical energy per year.
At the same time, the project aims to support fruit production while generating electricity.
The experiment is a joint project between Insolight AG, a Swiss start-up specializing in agrivoltaics, Agroscope, Switzerland’s national agricultural research center, and Romande Énergie.
Together, they are studying whether solar panels can help farmers cope with more extreme weather while contributing to renewable energy production.
The orchard is doing more than growing fruit
Heat stress, excessive solar radiation, hail, frost, and other extreme weather conditions present growing challenges for fruit growers.
Traditionally, growers protected their crops against damaging weather conditions through protective covers (shading netting), windbreaks, or even mulching.
Researchers are exploring ways to protect crops while also generating renewable energy. One possibility is “agrivoltaics”, which uses the same parcel of land for both agricultural production and energy generation.
Instead of separating these two main uses of land (farming vs. energy generation), agrivoltaics integrates them onto one single plot of land.
Proponents of this concept claim that it offers growers a chance to increase food production while simultaneously supplying renewable energy to the grid. The concept has gained traction across Europe as farmers look for ways to improve resilience without sacrificing productive agricultural land.
Not every crop responds to shade in the same way
The site near Conthey, however, did not emerge overnight either. In fact, researchers from Insolight and Agroscope had already started studying agrivoltaic systems in 2021 using strawberry varieties.
Their first experiments focused on understanding how controlled shading influences plant development and crop yield.
Researchers also examined fruit quality, water-use efficiency, and performance during heat waves.
Based on their experience with berries, the researchers then went on to investigate further aspects of crop behavior using additional crop species. In 2025, the project expanded into a fruit-tree orchard. In addition to fruit trees, the experimental site features a solar park rated at 242 kWp.
Researchers have been conducting extensive studies to test various forms of crop protection and light management.
According to Agroconsulenze, raspberries exhibit very little sensitivity to reduced light levels while still producing normally. On the other hand, strawberries appear to be much more sensitive to lower light intensities.
The findings suggest that shading levels may need to vary depending on the crop.
How do the panels decide how much light reaches the fruit?
The solution is found within systems that are able to fulfill the requirements of both plant growth and electrical energy production.
Semi-transparent PV (photovoltaic) modules were installed above the crops on the test site.
According to Insolight, the PV modules have the ability to regulate the amount of light that each individual crop receives. This differs from traditional solar installations as it is a dual function device for both energy production and growing plants.
The panels do more than manage light
The company claims that the module controls shading depending on the requirements of the crop. Light that is not needed by the plants can be caught and transformed into electricity.
At the same time, enough light must always remain available for photosynthesis.
The structural design also provides space for additional crop-protection equipment. Nets and tarpaulins can help protect orchards against hail, excessive rainfall, and frost.
Scientists have studied different module arrangements and levels of light transmission.
They are trying to identify the best setting for each crop and growing condition.
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