During the 38th edition of SIVAL, Photosol, Fruits Rouges & Co, and Insolight announced a strategic partnership to advance France's red fruit sector through agrivoltaics. This collaboration will focus on developing an innovative agrivoltaics demonstrator at the "Campus Fruits Rouges" experimental center. The goal? To gather crucial data on the agro-economic benefits of agrivoltaics in red fruit cultivation.
Boosting domestic production to meet growing demand
Red fruit consumption in France has soared by 35% over the past five years, yet 87% of raspberries consumed in the country are still imported due to insufficient local production. Fruits Rouges & Co, a specialist in red fruit since 1990, is committed to tripling French production by 2028. Agrivoltaics plays a key role in this plan, offering dual benefits: optimal fruit protection and renewable energy generation, providing additional income to offset installation costs.
A cutting-edge pilot project
To achieve this ambitious goal, Fruits Rouges & Co has partnered with Photosol, a French solar energy company, and Insolight, an innovator in agrivoltaics technology. The project's centerpiece is the "insolagrin" system developed by Insolight—semi-transparent solar panels designed as an alternative to plastic tunnels. These panels shield crops from adverse weather, reduce evapotranspiration, and optimize water use. Integrated climate sensors and the "insol'insights" monitoring software ensure precise shading adjustments, further enhancing crop conditions.
Five years of research at Campus Fruits Rouges
Located in Allemant, in the Aisne region, the Campus Fruits Rouges hosts this agrivoltaics demonstrator on the farm of Thomas Magnien, a producer and project manager. Over five years, raspberry, strawberry, and blueberry crops will be monitored to evaluate the system's agronomic and economic impact. The campus aims to become a hub for innovation and knowledge-sharing, fostering sustainable practices and strengthening agricultural sovereignty in France at both regional and national levels.
Positive energy for sustainable fruit production
Through a 20-year renewable energy purchase agreement with Photosol, Fruits Rouges & Co leverages solar-generated electricity from Campus Fruits Rouges for cooling and preserving fruit. This initiative introduces a new "positive energy fruit" production model, combining environmental sustainability, resource conservation, and quality. The project also seeks to raise consumer awareness of the benefits of this virtuous agricultural model.
"At Fruits Rouges & Co, we are dedicated to securing the future of France's red fruit supply chain while actively supporting producers in overcoming daily challenges," said Sylvie Cathelain, President of Fruits Rouges & Co, and Mélanie Marchand, Managing Director. "This partnership with Photosol and Insolight represents a tremendous opportunity to accelerate innovation while addressing sustainability and food sovereignty. Our goal is to equip producers with practical tools to increase production while safeguarding quality, the environment, and natural resources."
For more information:
Fruits Rouges & Co
1 Rue Jean Bodin, 02000 Laon
Tel: +33(0)3.23.28.49.49
[email protected]
www.fruitsrougesandco.com