Green Light for Czech Agrivoltaics

The combination of agriculture and energy production has been a well established concept for years. In particular, the cultivation and processing of “energy crops” and the use of agricultural land for the construction of solar panels have been rather popular. In the past, the second option required removal of the land from the agricultural land fund. As a result, the farmer lost the possibility of agricultural utilisation of the land. He had to decide whether to become an electricity producer or to continue 'just' farming.

The Czech legal system now finally establishes the concept of agrivoltaic power plants, i.e. a system in which photovoltaic panels are installed over agricultural land (horizontal agrivoltaic system) or between crops (vertical agrivoltaic system).

An amendment to the Agricultural Land Fund Protection Act and a special decree stipulate not only conditions for implementation of agrivoltaic power plants, but also how the owner must proceed after the plant is no longer in operation and, most importantly, which crops may be grown on the land where the agrivoltaic power plant is located. This is where a farmer may see one of the major limitations, since the permitted agricultural crops include, in particular, vineyards, hops, orchards, nurseries and truffles areas.

Agrivoltaics are now the only way to use agricultural land under protection classes I and II for electricity production. Such land may no longer be removed from the agricultural land fund for these purposes, not even for a fee. In addition to enhanced economic benefits of the land, the agrivoltaic system may also serve to protect the cultivated crops from adverse environmental influences.

At the same time, we expect that the development of agrivoltaics will be supported by various subsidy programs that are likely be announced soon.

If you are interested in more detailed information on the conditions for implementation of agrivoltaics or need support in a specific project, do not hesitate to reach out to our team. We will expertly guide you through the preparation and implementation of your project and provide you with all necessary legal advice.

By Mgr. Ing. Jan Valíček

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