Elevated agrivoltaics for olive cultivation
A Spanish olive oil producer is building a 3.65 MW agrivoltaic project in Jaén to power its packaging plant while maintaining olive cultivation under elevated solar panels.
Acesur, a Seville-based olive oil producer, has broken ground on a 3.65 MW agrivoltaic project in Vilches, Jaén, integrating solar power generation into an operational olive grove near its packaging plant. The initiative, developed by Granada-based Greening, aims to combine industrial self-consumption with agriculture without disrupting existing olive trees or cultivation practices. All electricity generated will supply Acesur’s packaging facility, marking a shift toward industrial-scale renewable integration in food production.
The technology underwent rigorous development, including bioclimatic simulations, laboratory testing, and a prototype in a rain-fed olive grove. Results from two consecutive harvests confirmed that solar panels and olive cultivation can coexist, with reported improvements in microclimate, soil temperature reduction, moisture retention, and crop yield enhancement. These findings underpin the Vilches project’s design and operational strategy.
The Vilches installation will feature over 5,150 solar modules mounted on metal structures more than 4 meters above ground, supported by steel pillars and concrete foundations. The elevated design allows agricultural machinery, including harvesters, to operate beneath the panels, ensuring conventional farming activities remain uninterrupted while generating renewable energy.
Acesur’s project includes a 3 MWh battery energy storage system to optimize energy use and operational flexibility. Spain’s Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE) has granted €2.8 million to support the integration of renewable energy technologies into industrial operations, reinforcing the project’s role in advancing sustainable industrial practices.