French renewable energy producer and developer Akuo has been awarded a project to create and install a pilot agrivoltaic facility in Portugal, in partnership with agricultural research office Agriterra. The announcement was made by Akuo on Wednesday following the award by the National Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Portugal.
Dubbed “Fruitpv,” the project entails the deployment of solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays compatible with the Fuji apple tree. Akuo, along with its collaborator, will design and implement the pilot facility in Alcobaca, located in the Leiria District of western Portugal. Akuo has committed to deploying various pilot models to identify the most efficient solution that can be replicated on a commercial scale.
Financed under the Portuguese Agenda for Agricultural Innovation, the project receives funding from the Recovery and Resilience Plan.
Highlighting their experience in combining solar projects with agricultural activities, Akuo stated that they have been engaged in such endeavors since 2009, when they initiated their first project on Reunion Island.
