European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) agreement No. 25-00-C0LA1602-000002
Project partners are LSFRI "Silava" (leading partner), AF "Kalēji" and society "Baltijas Krasti".
Total funding of Project is 82,644.82 EUR.
The project aims to develop and test an innovative agrivoltaic system for blackberry cultivation on peat soils by integrating semi-transparent solar panel mock-ups as part of a multifunctional horticultural infrastructure. The objective is to simultaneously address several challenges in Latvian agriculture: the reintegration of underutilized land, the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and the promotion of energy self-sufficiency in farms.
Demonstration plots will be established to compare different shading scenarios (with panel coverage ranging from 30% to 60% and light transmittance of 15–20%) in order to evaluate their effects on soil microclimate, moisture retention, GHG emissions (CO2, CH4, N2O), and blackberry growth and productivity indicators. The use of mock-up panels allows for flexible modelling and comparison of different agrivoltaic configurations, significantly reducing costs and technical barriers to field experimentation.
In addition, the project includes an economic and environmental benefit analysis, including the monetization of GHG reduction through the calculation of carbon sequestration units, potentially enabling new income streams for fruit growers in the voluntary carbon market. The project will also contribute to the development of a carbon balance calculation methodology for horticulture.
The consortium brings together partners from science, practical farming, and agricultural consultancy to ensure an interdisciplinary approach and effective knowledge transfer. Project results will be disseminated through field seminars, information materials, videos, and publications shared via websites and social media platforms. This will support the transition to sustainable, data-driven agriculture in Latvia and contribute to the EU Common Agricultural Policy goals for climate neutrality.