With nearly 3 hectares of panels over their cherry trees, Christian Clair and his son Adrien are pioneers in the field of agrivoltaics. It’s a system they deem essential to continue producing despite the whims of the weather.
In 2018, Christian Clair and his son Adrien started looking for an adjustable rain protection system to keep producing cherries. SARL Clair cultivates cherries, apricots, pomegranates, kiwis, figs, and table grapes on around twenty hectares in Loriol-sur-Drôme.
Some of the orchards are organic. It was at Tech&bio that they discovered the Sun'agri model and saw it as the answer to what they were looking for. “The project started that day,” says Christian Clair.
The first photovoltaic installation of 0.2 hectares was set up in 2021 on old cherry trees. It wasn’t an easy task, because to install the panels, the trees had to be pruned down significantly. Despite this, “we’re seeing fewer burn problems and many more suckers under the panels, so the trees are recovering much more quickly than in the control orchard,” says Christian Clair.
A second plot of 2.7 hectares was planted in 2023 with 27 varieties of cherry trees to reduce the risk of poor responses from certain varieties.
The impact of agrivoltaics on yields has been positive. In 2023, Primulat produced 13% more than the control, and Burlat 32% more. Bigalise, however, responded less well, with a 19% yield loss. The way the panels are oriented also plays a crucial role.
Image 1: Cherry trees: a clear improvement in yields due to Sun'Agri technology.
According to tests conducted by the orchardist with his clients, the cherries are firmer under the panels, which is a positive result. The system has also protected the crops. Since the panels were installed, the farm has faced three climatic hazards:
“In the future, we won’t be able to do without this type of system,” he concludes.
Another advantage is that the modernization of the farm has encouraged the son to continue. He is so satisfied that a third project is now underway.
His advice for those tempted to try? Be patient, as the administrative side takes a long time. And don’t plant in the same year the panels are installed. “The ground gets compacted by the machinery. It’s better to till, plant grass, and wait until the next year to plant the trees,” he says.
Source: Médiafel
Images: Sun'Agri; Médiafel
03 Nov 2023
The Veneto-based group, which has been involved in cold management for more than 35 years, is working on eliminating the time between the cherry's detachment from the plant and the moment when the temperature is lowered, with the 'Danese Hydrocooling System'.
07 Jun 2024
15 industry specialists will meet on 18 June at the Sun Monticello event centre for the second version of the largest technical event in the cherry industry. The event will offer three interesting discussion forums and three keynote lectures.
30 Oct 2026
Managing processing times means ensuring that fruit moves from harvesting to cooling with as few interruptions as possible. The aim is to reduce waiting, balance capacity across the different stages, prevent accumulation and identify bottlenecks before they compromise fruit condi
30 Oct 2026
Although lower production may put upward pressure on prices, the extent of any increases will depend on demand, existing supplies and supplier-specific market conditions.
