Agrivoltaics in Slovakia: A Promising Path for Farmers and the Energy Transition
As part of the EUKI-funded project From Plans to Reality – Renewable Chance for Future, the Slovak Association of Sustainable Energy (SAPI) recently organised a study trip, dedicated to one of the most forward-looking solutions at the nexus of agriculture and clean energy – agrivoltaics. This dual-use concept combines food and electricity production on the same land, helping farmers cope with climate change, while contributing to renewable energy targets. The excursion, attended by representatives of Slovak ministries and national agencies, highlighted not only the technological potential of agrivoltaics, but also the persistent barriers to its implementation in Slovakia.
From Innovation to Deadlock: The Slovak Agrivoltaic Paradox
Agrivoltaic systems (solar panels installed above or among crops) are being widely adopted across Europe. In countries like France, Italy, or Germany, such projects are becoming mainstream due to their proven benefits. These include reduced evaporation, protection from hail or extreme temperatures, better yields under stress conditions, and new income opportunities for farmers. Yet, under existing legislation in Slovakia, agrivoltaics is currently not permitted at all. According to Slovak zoning and agricultural land laws, agricultural land must not be used for solar installations, regardless of whether crops continue to be grown underneath or not. “We are facing a paradox,” says Ján Horváth, SAPI’s agrivoltaics expert. “On the one hand, we have European strategies calling for smarter land use and increased integration of renewables. On the other, we have national laws that completely block these solutions.” This legal bottleneck means that Slovakia risks missing a unique opportunity to decarbonise its rural economy and make agriculture more resilient to climate risks. While the country formally supports renewable energy and climate targets, outdated land use policies remain a critical barrier to progress.
A Learning Experience for Policy and Practice
During the two-day study tour, SAPI introduced participants (including experts from the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Agriculture, and representatives of environmental and energy agencies) to one of Slovakia’s first planned agrivoltaic pilot sites. Though still theoretical, the site serves as a platform for dialogue between policymakers, farmers, and the renewable energy sector. Discussions focused on the multifunctional potential of agrivoltaics. Participants saw how photovoltaic panels can coexist with crops such as wheat, berries, or vegetables, providing partial shading and reducing extreme temperatures that increasingly damage yields. With proper design, panel height and spacing can be adapted to farm machinery and local crop needs. These solutions are already successfully applied in regions of France, where 10% of a farmer’s land can be covered by panels without lowering production, or in Italy, where agrivoltaic farms receive state support under the PNRR program.