Swiss Agrivoltaic Innovation: Insolight’s Solar-Powered Cherry Farm

Switzerland is taking a bold step toward sustainable agriculture and renewable energy with a new agrivoltaic project in Leuggern, Canton Aargau. Swiss solar tech company Insolight has announced plans to install 1,300 high-efficiency solar modules across 12,000 square meters of cherry farmland, blending clean energy production with advanced crop protection.

Key Project Details

• Solar Modules: 1,300 x DAS Solar panels (600W each)

• Total Capacity: ~780 kWp

• Annual Production: 800 MWh (enough to power ~180 homes)

• Inverters: Huawei SUN2000 150K

• Mounting Height: ~3 meters (allowing farm machinery to pass underneath)

• Farmers: Rudolf Obrist & Hansjörg Erne (cherry growers)

• Energy Offtaker: Energie360° (Swiss sustainable utility)

Construction is set to begin in summer 2024, with the system expected to protect crops while generating renewable electricity for the grid.

How Insolight’s Agrivoltaic System Works

The project’s standout feature is Insolight’s patented "insolagrin" technology, a dynamic shading system that:
✔ Regulates sunlight exposure for optimal crop growth
✔ Protects cherries from hail, heavy rain, heatwaves, and frost
✔ Reduces reliance on chemical plant protection
✔ Converts excess sunlight into electricity

The system uses a retractable, durable plastic film mounted on a stainless steel structure, allowing flexible adjustment based on weather conditions.

Benefits for Farmers & the Grid

• Higher crop resilience against extreme weather

• Lower operational costs (reduced need for pesticides & frost protection)

• Additional revenue stream from solar energy sales

• Clean power for Swiss households via Energie360°

The Future of Agrivoltaics in Switzerland

This project highlights the growing potential of dual-use solar farms, where agriculture and energy production coexist. Insolight’s system is also adaptable for strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries, making it a scalable solution for other farms.

With government-backed tenders supporting such initiatives, Switzerland is paving the way for smarter, greener farming—proving that solar panels and crops can thrive together.

Would you like to see more farms adopt agrivoltaics? Let us know in the comments!

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