Agrivoltaics in Vineyards: How Agritracker Technology Protects Crops and Generates Clean Energy
- Rodney Fierro
- Oct 3
- 3 min read
Climate change and increasingly frequent droughts are putting the viability of many agricultural operations at risk. This is especially critical in wine-growing regions such as southern France, where heat waves and water scarcity directly affect grape quality and, consequently, the future of wine.
In the face of this challenge, agrivoltaics emerges as an innovative solution that combines solar energy and sustainable agriculture. A recent France 3 Occitanie report highlighted the real impact of this technology in the vineyards of Languedoc-Roussillon, where Agritracker structures manufactured and installed by Universal have shown very promising results.
What is agrivoltaics and why is it transforming agriculture?
Agrivoltaics consists of installing solar panels over farmland with a dual objective:
Protecting crops from excessive sun and extreme conditions.
Generating clean, renewable energy that contributes to the energy transition.
In this way, land is used more efficiently, agricultural resilience is strengthened, and a more productive and sustainable system is created.
The success story in the vineyards of Languedoc-Roussillon
The France 3 Occitanie report sums it up clearly:
“The comparison with the control plot is clear: without protection, the grapes are smaller, drier, with higher alcohol content and lower volume.”
The project results show how agrivoltaic structures bring immediate benefits:
🍇 Grapes more resistant to heat and drought.
🌱 Higher quality and yield at harvest.
☀️ Clean solar energy production without reducing agricultural land.
This breakthrough demonstrates that agrivoltaics is not just a trend, but a key tool for adapting agriculture to climate change.
The Agritracker technology: innovation serving the land
Universal has developed the dynamic Agritracker structure, designed specifically to adapt to the needs of each crop. Its main advantage is the ability to tilt the panels up to ±85º, allowing precise regulation of shade depending on the growth stage of the vine and facilitating the passage of agricultural machinery.
Its main benefits include:
Smart protection against excessive solar radiation, frost, snow, and hail.
Adaptability to different types of land and crops.
Simultaneous optimization of agricultural and energy production.
Integration with smart systems for spraying and rainwater collection.
Thanks to this innovation, farmers can improve both the quality of their harvest and the profitability of their operations.
Universal: over 25 years of experience driving sustainability
With more than 25 years of expertise, Universal has established itself as the global leader in the design and manufacturing of dynamic agrivoltaic structures.
Our mission is clear: to provide solutions that allow farmers to protect their crops, generate renewable energy, and secure a more sustainable and profitable future.
Agrivoltaics: responding to climate change and securing the future
The experience in Languedoc-Roussillon is just one example of how agrivoltaics is making a difference. In a context where drought and heat threaten food security, this technology is proving to be an essential tool for the agriculture of the future.
The result is a more resilient, efficient model committed to the energy transition.
👉 You can read the full France 3 Occitanie report here: Link to article
Do you want to bring agrivoltaics to your farm?
At Universal, we develop tailor-made agrivoltaic projects. If you want to discover how to protect your crops and optimize the profitability of your farmland with innovative solutions, contact us and let’s talk about your projects.
