Techno-economic analysis of agrivoltaic pear orchards

Abstract

An agrivoltaic financial model was developed to assess the feasibility of a pear orchard with a solar canopy, using pear production data from a pilot study. The pilot in the central Netherlands, was installed over an existing pear orchard (cv. Conference) with 3-m row spacing. Three photovoltaic (PV) structures were tested above the tree rows: Slim O (opaque modules), Slim T (semi-transparent modules), both 1 m wide, and Wide, which contained a similar number of solar cells as Slim T but more glass, designed to keep the crop dry. Light transmission and pear yields were measured over two years. Transmission averaged 42% (Wide), 60% (Slim O), and 66% (Slim T), with corresponding crop yields of 71%, 81%, and 89% of the reference system.The financial model calculated net present values (NPVs) over a 25-year project lifetime, assuming simultaneous orchard establishment and PV installation. The model included investments and operational costs for both the orchard and solar system. Total NPV was highest for Slim O and exceeded that of the reference orchard, whereas the other configurations showed lower or negative NPVs, driven by limited PV profitability and reduced incoming pear cash flow. Sensitivity analysis indicated that financial outcomes were strongly influenced by electricity price and the discount rate.Overall, synergies between pear production and PV energy generation were limited under humid temperate conditions. Benefits primarily emerged when both systems were established simultaneously, allowing shared structural support. To lower investment risks, technological improvements and/or supportive financial or policy measures are required.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Solar Energy Advances, 2026 · DOI ↗