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AGRI-FLEX-SI Operational Group: agrivoltaics in lightweight greenhouses using semi-flexible, semi-transparent silicon photovoltaics with sensorization and agro-energy optimization.

  • Type Operational group
  • Status In progress
  • Execution 2026 -2029
  • Assigned Budget 599.898,00 €
  • Scope Supraautonómico
  • Autonomous community Cataluña; Comunitat Valenciana
  • Main source of financing CAP 2023-2027
Abstract
The main expected outcome of this module will be a validated design package for semi-flexible and semi-transparent silicon PV modules, adapted to agronomic conditions and their integration into lightweight greenhouses. This will include the definition and preliminary design of the modules, structural modeling using FEM simulations and CAD design of the photovoltaic integration, initial manufacturing of integrated prototypes, and their mechanical validation through load and resistance testing. Furthermore, essential technical documentation and assembly drawings will be prepared for the manufacturing and field installation of the AGRI-FLEX-Si system. The main added value for the end user is having a PV solution compatible with lightweight greenhouse types, supported by verified integration details, reducing uncertainty and improving safety and planning. Professionals will be able to use these results as a technical reference to assess feasibility, coordinate requirements with installers/manufacturers, and prepare a realistic implementation aligned with crop light requirements and structural constraints.

The main expected outcome of this module will be a complete and interoperable sensor system for monitoring the energy balance of greenhouses, complemented by a centralized digital platform. This will include reviewing existing sensors, selecting necessary additional sensors, installing them in the field and performing initial calibration, as well as integrating and verifying the operational compatibility of the entire network. Subsequently, a centralized platform will be developed and implemented to consistently collect, organize, and visualize energy data (light/radiation, greenhouse climate, irrigation variables, and electrical flows). The main added value for the end user is transforming disparate measurements into reliable and comparable information, useful for daily management and for reducing uncertainty in the adoption of agrivoltaics. Professionals will be able to use the results via the dashboard and consolidated datasets to track trends, detect deviations, and support irrigation and climate management decisions, along with monitoring self-consumption.

The main expected outcome is the deployment of two full-scale agrivoltaic demonstrators in light greenhouses (Catalonia and the Valencian Community), integrating semi-flexible and semi-transparent silicon PV systems, safe electrical integration, and a complete monitoring system. These demonstrators will validate practical installation solutions (roof/side placement, modular mounting, cable routing, basic protections, and metering) and generate operational evidence under representative Mediterranean conditions and with selected crops. The main added value/benefit for the end user is having a proven "how-to" reference in real-world operations: common constraints, commissioning, safety aspects, maintenance requirements, and performance ranges, thus reducing uncertainty and adoption risk. Professionals can utilize the results through the replication package derived from the pilot projects—technical checklists, recommended configurations, monitoring templates, and lessons learned—to assess feasibility in their greenhouses and plan a feasible implementation with installers and consultants.

The main expected outcome of this module will be a comprehensive evaluation of AGRI-FLEX-Si's performance in pilot greenhouses, combining agronomic results, plant health, and energy indicators. Electricity generation and self-consumption will be analyzed along with light availability (PAR/radiation), microclimate dynamics (temperature and humidity), and irrigation-related variables, relating them to crop response (yield, quality, and health). This evaluation will provide a coherent evidence base for understanding how the integration of semi-transparent PV modifies greenhouse conditions and what practical implications this has in Mediterranean systems. The main added value for the end user is access to comparable, decision-making-oriented information, reducing uncertainty about trade-offs and helping to identify compatible operating ranges between energy and crop requirements. Professionals will be able to use the consolidated conclusions and KPIs to compare configurations, evaluate performance, and support climate and irrigation management decisions when assessing agrivoltaics.

The main expected outcome of this module will be a conservative assessment of the viability of the AGRI-FLEX-Si solution in lightweight greenhouses, based on monitored data from pilot projects and basic scenario assumptions. The main economic factors (installed concept, generation levels, self-consumption potential, and practical installation constraints) will be summarized, and simple indicators will be provided to support decision-making, along with an overview of the environmental contribution associated with reduced grid electricity consumption. Furthermore, a national replicability framework will be developed, outlining the contexts in which the solution could be applied and the minimum requirements, without extrapolating beyond the observations made in the pilot projects. The main added value for the end user is having a realistic basis for deciding whether it is worthwhile to explore agrivoltaics in their greenhouse and anticipating common barriers (permits, grid connection, maintenance). Professionals will be able to use simplified templates and the replication framework to filter locations, compare options, and structure feasibility discussions with consultants and installers.

The main expected outcome of this phase will be a clear and consistent visual identity for AGRI-FLEX-Si, including the project logo, color palette, typography, and a set of graphic elements applicable to all communication materials. This identity will be used on the website, in presentations, fact sheets, and outreach materials so that farmers, advisors, cooperatives, and technology stakeholders can easily identify the project and its validated messages. The main added value/benefit for the end user is improved clarity and trust in the information: materials are easier to read and compare, share, and key messages are conveyed professionally and consistently. Professionals will be able to use these materials as a common reference when discussing agrivoltaic solutions in lightweight greenhouses and when disseminating information among teams and decision-makers.

The main expected outcome of this phase will be the creation and distribution of press releases that communicate AGRI-FLEX-Si milestones in a concise and accessible manner, targeting specialized media outlets in the energy, technology, and agricultural sectors. These releases will explain why lightweight greenhouses are a relevant context for agrivoltaics, what is being developed and validated (semi-flexible and semi-transparent silicon PV plus monitoring), and what progress is being made at key stages of the project. The main added value/benefit for the end user is access to reliable and easily disseminated updates within cooperatives, advisory services, and agricultural organizations, allowing them to follow validated progress without having to read lengthy technical documents. Professionals can use these releases as reference materials for internal communication, stakeholder engagement, and to identify when new public materials (website, conferences, fact sheets) are available.

The main expected outcome of this phase will be a project website, hosted on Solartys, that centralizes information on AGRI-FLEX-Si and is updated as progress is made. The website will offer a clear overview of the challenge addressed (energy costs and climate resilience in lightweight greenhouses), the proposed solution (semi-flexible and semi-transparent silicon PV systems with sensors and data), the pilot project implementation, and the main publicly available materials generated during the project. Updates will allow users to track milestones and access validated results as they are published (e.g., fact sheets, practice abstracts, conference announcements, and links to final results content). The main added value/benefit for the end user is having a single, easily accessible source of reliable information, reducing uncertainty and facilitating the work of consultants and cooperatives. Professionals will be able to use the website to consult and share resources in feasibility discussions, training sessions, and communication with stakeholders.

The main expected outcome of this phase will be the presentation of AGRI-FLEX-Si at selected national and, where appropriate, international forums and conferences related to greenhouse production, agrivoltaics, and energy innovation. These presentations will convey the project's approach and progress with practical messages: the context of lightweight greenhouses, the integration of semi-flexible and semi-transparent PV systems, the monitoring network, and the KPI framework used to assess energy, microclimate, and crop response. The main added value/benefit for the end user is access to structured and credible information and lessons learned in spaces where farmers, consultants, cooperatives, technology providers, and institutional stakeholders converge, fostering visibility and potential collaborations. Professionals will be able to use presentations and summaries as reference material and leverage the contacts and discussions to explore replication opportunities.

The main expected outcome of this phase will be a results video that visually and clearly explains AGRI-FLEX-Si, summarizing the project's objectives, development, and key achievements. The video will showcase the context of lightweight greenhouses, the concept of integrating semi-flexible and semi-transparent silicon PV systems, and the monitoring approach, using pilot footage and simple, practical messaging to avoid excessive technical detail. The primary added value/benefit for the end user is a quick and easy-to-share format that demonstrates what has been proven and why it is relevant to self-consumption, operating costs, and resilience, supporting internal communication and decision-making. Professionals can use the video by sharing it with cooperatives and advisory networks, employing it in training and outreach activities, and as a starting point for accessing more detailed public materials linked from the project website.

The main expected outcome of this step will be a “best practices plan” that compiles the replicable actions and key practical lessons learned from AGRI-FLEX-Si, presented in an accessible format. It will focus on what is transferable to other contexts without relying on overly specific assumptions: key steps for preparing an agrivoltaic initiative in greenhouses, minimum information to collect (structure, roofing, electrical installation, and crop light requirements), and practical considerations observed during design, installation, monitoring, and initial operation. The main added value/benefit for the end user is having a pragmatic checklist that supports consistent decision-making and helps avoid common initial mistakes when exploring agrivoltaics, keeping expectations aligned with proven results. Professionals will be able to use the guide to filter locations, request comparable quotes from suppliers/installers, and structure a simple replication plan with consultants and cooperatives.

The main expected outcome of this phase will be the organization of a final public event to present the key results and lessons learned from AGRI-FLEX-Si, with the participation of all partners. The session will summarize the design, installation, and monitoring of the pilot projects and communicate relevant practical conclusions through clear messages and a limited set of consolidated KPIs (generation/self-consumption, greenhouse light and microclimate, irrigation-related variables, and crop response). The main added value/benefit for the end user is access to a comprehensive overview of the project in a single forum, allowing them to compare expectations with validated evidence and clarify practical considerations before planning investments or replication. Professionals can leverage the results by attending the event (in person, if offered), using presentations and public materials as a reference, and connecting with consultants, cooperatives, and installers to explore viable next steps.

Description

The project aims to demonstrate that integrating semi-flexible and semi-transparent silicon photovoltaic modules into lightweight greenhouses allows for electricity generation on the roof and sides without compromising agronomic performance, thus reducing energy costs and emissions. Sensors (for radiation, climate, water, and energy) and an analytics and control platform will optimize effective shading, irrigation, and self-consumption, improving water efficiency and production stability during heat waves. Pilot projects in Catalonia and the Valencian Community (for strawberries, avocados, and industrial hemp) will compare module types, coverage percentages, and operating strategies, evaluating impacts on production, quality, plant health, thermal comfort, energy balance, life cycle assessment (LCA), and economic viability. Recommendations for maintenance, safety, and grid connection will be developed, along with a toolkit (indicators, templates, and use cases) to facilitate adoption by farmers, cooperatives, and consultants.

Description of activities

The project will address the design, manufacture, and validation of a specific agrivoltaic solution for Mediterranean greenhouses. Agronomic, structural, and energy requirements will be defined, and semi-flexible and semi-transparent silicon PV modules (roof and sides) will be designed, incorporating criteria for safety, durability, maintenance, and electrical connection. Prototypes will be manufactured and tested in the laboratory (performance, aging, loads, and thermal behavior). In parallel, a sensor system (radiation, indoor/outdoor climate, irrigation, electricity consumption and generation) and a data platform for analytics, monitoring, and operational recommendations (effective shading, irrigation, and self-consumption) will be deployed. Two pilot projects will be carried out in Catalonia and the Valencian Community, with strawberry, avocado, and industrial hemp crops, comparing configurations (coverage percentage, module type, and operating strategy). Impacts on production, quality, health, thermal comfort, water efficiency, energy balance, emissions (LCA) and economic viability will be assessed, culminating in replicable guides, indicators and transfer materials for farmers, cooperatives and advisors.

Objectives

To reduce the energy costs and carbon footprint of Mediterranean greenhouses and improve their climate resilience through the development and integration of semi-flexible and semi-transparent silicon PV modules, with sensors and a data platform that optimizes light, irrigation, and self-consumption. This will be validated in two pilot projects (Valencian Community and Catalonia) with strawberries, avocados, and industrial hemp, generating replicable guidelines.

Contact information
  • Coordinator/Entity Name: Spanish Association for the Internationalization and Innovation of Solar Companies - SOLARTYS
  • Postal address: Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes 774, 4th floor
  • Email coordinator/entity: info@solartys.org
  • Telephone: +34 619 615 417
Coordinators
  • Asociación Española para la Internacionalización y la Innovación de las Empresas Solares - SOLARTYS
Beneficiaries
  • Eurecat
  • Agricola Maresme Segle XXI SAT
  • Ingeniería y desarrollos renovables S.L