EU acknowledges renewables role in Vision for Agriculture and Food

Solar panels, windmills and biogas as well as energy communities offer farmers opportunities for energy sufficiency and income, the European Commission said in its Vision for Agriculture and Food. SolarPower Europe commended the recognition of the role of solar power, highlighting agrisolar as a solution for boosting climate resilience.

The EU is also working on measures to support farmers with carbon and nature credits for adopting sustainable practices.

The European Commission presented its Vision for Agriculture and Food. It said the roadmap sets the stage for an attractive, competitive, resilient, sustainable, future-oriented and fair agrifood system.

The agrifood chain is under pressure from the impact of climate change to global competition and higher energy prices, the European Union’s executive body pointed out.

“Simplifying further our policies and increasing the uptake of innovation and digitalisation are prerequisites to all actions outlined in the vision. Later in 2025, the commission will propose a comprehensive simplification package for the current agricultural legislative framework, along with an EU digital strategy for agriculture to support the transition to digital-ready farming,” the announcement reads.

Important opportunities are emerging for farmers in renewable energy production

Important opportunities are emerging in renewable energy production, according to the update. It enhances energy security, decreases greenhouse gas emissions, and offers farmers and foresters additional income and innovation prospects, the commission said.

“Farmers should not only be even more energy-sufficient with for example solar panels, windmills and biogas production, but also be able to deliver their energy products to the market, including through energy communities,” it wrote in a message to EU institutions responsible for developing the framework.

Over 200 agrivoltaic facilities are operating in Europe

It is the first time, in such a document, that the European Union recognized the role of photovoltaics in enhancing energy security, decarbonizing the sector and supplementing farmers’ income, SolarPower Europe stressed.

“Agrisolar – combining solar and agriculture – is a proven concept across Europe, with over 200 projects operating today. This solar integration boosts climate resilience by providing moveable shade, reducing water use, regenerating soil, as well as shielding crops and livestock from extreme heat,” said Policy Advisor at SolarPower Europe Lina Dubina.

A study showed that regenerative agriculture and agrisolar can yield additional profits of up to EUR 17,000 for small farms and EUR 235,000 for large ones

The organization’s Agrisolar Best Practice Guidelines v2.0 highlights improved water efficiency by 20% to 30%, increased soil carbon storage by up to 80%, and increased pollinator presence by up to 60%. A 2024 joint study from the Boston Consulting Group and BayWa r.e. revealed that regenerative agriculture and agrisolar can yield additional profits of up to EUR 17,000 for small farms and EUR 235,000 for large ones.

There are several ways of combining solar power with food production. For instance, interrow PV systems enable farming activity between them. Solar installations can be placed overhead or on the roofs and sides of greenhouses.

Ground-mounted photovoltaic plants often occupy vast surfaces, but operators can ease the impact on biodiversity with pollinator habitats and other measures.

Carbon farming already emerging as additional source of income

Farming must have the necessary stability to encourage young people to enter the profession, including through fair incomes and better-targeted public support, the European Commission said in the new roadmap. They also need to be actively supported to reap the benefits of innovation and new business models, including from carbon and nature credits, as complementary sources of income, it added.

“Bioeconomy and circularity offer a great potential for agriculture, forestry and the entire food system, as well as for reducing our critical dependencies,” the commissioners underscored.

Carbon farming is already emerging as an additional source of income, they asserted. The Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming Regulation (CRCF) has created the first EU-wide voluntary framework for certifying carbon removals, carbon farming and carbon storage in products, and certification methodologies are under development.

The commission vowed to develop opportunities for nature credits – units of nature-positive actions.

“The vision recognises the need to reconcile climate action with food security and the specific challenges faced by the sector. Farmers should be rewarded for adopting nature-friendly practices. In this context, the commission will carefully consider any further ban on the use of pesticides if alternatives are not available in a reasonable time and will streamline access to biopesticides in the EU market,” it said.