AURA PLATFORM Operational Group: Digital platform for promoting collaborative rural innovation in the field of agrivoltaics

One of the expected outcomes is a digital tool to interconnect stakeholders in the agrivoltaic system with farmers as end users and any other stakeholders who may be interested in learning more about the system or accessing agrivoltaic production. The tool will be open and will include an interactive map of agents involved in the agrivoltaic sector, as well as informational materials, updated legislation, agrivoltaic system requirements, and any other relevant information on agrivoltaic production. It will allow stakeholders to connect with one another and create a community that unites research entities, structural engineers, photovoltaic production companies, local stakeholders interested in agrivoltaic production, and farmers and livestock breeders. The aim is to generate a collaborative network where anyone interested in this production concept can easily and access information and contacts.

A training program for end users will be developed, covering legislation, permits, and necessary procedures, as well as visits to demonstration agrivoltaic plants. Various informational and training activities are planned, specifically targeting the agricultural sector, to raise awareness of the possibilities of agrivoltaic production and to promote the collaborative platform itself. A specially designed dissemination plan will be followed for these sessions. The Operational Group includes members who specialize in providing direct training to the agricultural sector. The characteristics of solar-powered production, its advantages and disadvantages, and all the requirements that an infrastructure must meet to be considered an agrivoltaic system will be presented. Work will begin on the content of a plan designed to explain what agrivoltaics is and what practices can be implemented to integrate agricultural production with photovoltaic solar energy production. Priority lines of action will be established, and the content and materials will be defined.

A repository will be created containing information on the various relevant entities and facilities in the field of agrivoltaics to facilitate access to information for the development of initiatives, partnerships, and technology transfer, classified according to their nature. This repository will gather detailed information on entities linked to the agrivoltaic production system, both through existing projects and potential interest in this new production model. A systematic categorization will be implemented within this repository to identify key stakeholders based on their profile and role in the sector's value chain. The planned categories include: Local Action Groups; Agrivoltaic System Installers; Manufacturers of related technologies; Research groups and centers; Energy retailers; and Agricultural and energy cooperatives.

A study on the acceptance of the agrivoltaic model will be conducted. Virtual reality videos simulating different agrivoltaic system configurations (high/interspatial typology; varying percentages of shade coverage, etc.) will be designed and implemented. Each video will be accompanied by economic data on agricultural and energy production, taking into account the levels of incident solar radiation resulting from the simulation of solar radiation behavior in each proposed design. A survey will also be designed to gather information on the level of knowledge about agrivoltaics, the assessment of its landscape and environmental impact, and the level of acceptance of agrivoltaics and each of the proposed configurations. The surveys will be disseminated and data collected (online and/or in person). Based on the statistical analysis of the survey data, a detailed study of the social acceptance of agrivoltaics will be obtained, as well as the potential barriers hindering its deployment.

An evaluation will be conducted of the results obtained regarding social perception and context analysis. Potential barriers that could affect the acceptability of implementing the agrivoltaic production model will be identified. Predictive indicators will be developed to analyze data and study levels of social acceptance, along with proposed measures to promote the acceptance of the agrivoltaic model and its deployment in our country. Strategies will also be designed to effectively transfer the model to the end user, based on awareness-raising, participation, and feedback on all actions implemented in the project. This will allow for continuous direct contact with the relevant sector, with the aim of improving perception based on the results obtained. Using these results and the specific indicators, communication strategies will be developed to better connect the model with the end user.

This activity will involve tasks to define a training and information plan to introduce the concept of agrivoltaics to the agricultural sector. Specifically, the following tasks will be carried out: Identifying and compiling information on agrivoltaics (principles, benefits, limitations, success stories); adapting technical content into accessible language for audiences with different levels of education (farmers, agricultural technicians, cooperatives); classifying, validating, and defining key messages aimed at generating interest and minimizing resistance, based on the results gathered in the previous tasks regarding the adoption of the agrivoltaic concept; segmenting messages according to audience type (producers, agricultural associations, government agencies, technicians) and aligning them with the values of the agricultural sector; preparing materials and resources; creating adapted graphic designs and content; and organizing workshops.

A dissemination plan has been developed to promote the AURA online platform as a collaborative space, as well as to channel publicity for training and information activities through presentations at strategic and project-specific events. Project staff have already participated in numerous events and forums on the subject, making this one of the project's main dissemination channels. Specifically, in addition to other actions detailed in the dissemination plan, an official launch and presentation event for the platform is planned and executed. Digital content will be developed for dissemination and use in the various forums in which the project participates, and the different actions to be carried out will be publicized through each entity's own channels, institutional channels, collaborating entities, and industry media. Participation will include networking events, trade fairs, conferences, and technical workshops at the national level, and specific promotional materials will be prepared.

Development and monitoring of the communication plan, including the following elements: Project image; promotional materials such as brochures, roll-up banners, etc.; generation of project presentation content; social media dissemination plan; messaging and coordination; definition of a communicative message to ensure a common language regardless of the medium used; coordination of dissemination activities with project implementation activities, given that most activities involve a knowledge transfer and dissemination component; adaptation of promotional content and content to be included on the platform based on the target audience and audience segmentation. This involves identifying all target audiences with whom the project materials will be shared and considering them in the design process, segmenting them according to their position in the value chain.

Online dissemination through each participant's own website and the EU-FarmBook platform. (https://www.uco.es/investiga/grupos/fisicayrenovables/ and the TEP 215 research group (UCO) in the outreach work has the support of the Scientific Culture and Innovation Unit (UCCi) of the University of Córdoba, an entity accredited by the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT). Dissemination through the beneficiaries' social networks, where project activities will be updated and which will also serve as information on conferences and other events of interest. The GO members have profiles on various social networks with a large number of followers. Publications in UNEF newsletters (every two months) and the Tecno CTAEX Network newsletter semi-annually. Dissemination of news through the Coprado Foundation Blog. Dissemination of project news through the FOTOPLAT technology platform. Appearances in magazines and media. Annual appearance in PV magazine. Publications in relevant scientific journals in the field of sustainability

Participation in conferences and other forums regularly attended by members of the Operational Group, related to the project's theme. Master classes at the Tajo-Salor-Almonte shepherd school. Participation in annual technical workshops in collaboration with the Cooprado Cooperative, focused on the livestock sector. Specialized conferences on agrivoltaics (AgriVoltaics World Conference, etc.). Attendance at trade fairs such as Fruit Attraction and Agroexpo, which will be attended by members of the Operational Group. The UCO group may participate in the "European Researcher's Night," "Science for Amateurs," "Science Bites," and other public events held as part of Science Week, organized by the UCCi of the University of Córdoba. Dissemination through the established collaboration for the project with Neiker and the working group in which CTAEX participates, and through collaboration via the AgriPower project. Dissemination through the Agrovoltaics working group, in which UNEF and BayWa participate. Participation in the annual Networking event organized by CTAEX. Organization of specific workshops.