Enervivo - Épopée Gestion

EnerVivo: A Strategic Partnership with Épopée Gestion to Tackle Energy and Food Sovereignty Challenges.

Épopée Gestion has committed €30 million to support EnerVivo’s expansion of agrivoltaic projects in France, aiming for an initial target production capacity of 300 MW.

By 2050, France intends to deploy 214 GW of photovoltaic energy, as outlined in RTE’s M1 scenario, representing a tenfold increase from its current capacity (as of early 2024). Agrivoltaics will play a pivotal role in achieving this goal by providing substantial energy production capacity without compromising agricultural land while mandating agronomic benefits.
Converting just 1% of France’s agricultural land to agrivoltaics could meet the country’s 2050 photovoltaic energy targets. Simultaneously, the agricultural sector faces crises aggravated by climate change. For instance, in 2024, France experienced a 25% drop in wheat yields due to excessive rainfall, while recurring droughts slashed vineyard output. In this context, agrivoltaics emerges as an innovative solution that combines renewable energy production with crop protection.
The projects spearheaded by Épopée Gestion and EnerVivo embody this dual commitment, actively contributing to both the energy transition and agricultural resilience.

EnerVivo, an innovative player enhancing agriculture through R&D and generating positive externalities through energy production.

As both a developer and consultancy firm, EnerVivo supports farmers in implementing tailored agrivoltaic solutions. The company invests heavily in R&D to build precise plant growth databases, aiming to enhance crop yields. Farmers can also become co-shareholders in the agrivoltaic projects.
For instance, EnerVivo collaborates with Fermes en Vie, an organization dedicated to sustainable agricultural practices and supporting young farmers. Together, they offer complementary income opportunities for farmers while ensuring the long-term viability of their farms.
Through these partnerships and innovations, EnerVivo is poised to play a central role in transitioning to sustainable agriculture and decarbonized energy production.

Key Figures

300 MW of Production capacity to be commissioned by 2030

100% Alignment with the European taxonomy

14 350 Tons of CO2 avoided, in line with a 1.6-degree temperature trajectory

A Strategic Partnership for Agroecological Energy Development

Emmanuel Walliser

Infrastructure Director, Épopée Gestion

« Together, we are creating a partnership dedicated to investing in agrivoltaic projects, with a goal of developing 300 MW of production capacity »

says Emmanuel Walliser, Partner for Infrastructure and Climate at Épopée Gestion. Forty projects are currently under development, marking a significant step in deploying this technology.

Épopée Gestion plans to invest €30 million progressively in these projects. «In addition to optimizing crops through agrivoltaics, we offer farmers the opportunity to become co-shareholders in the photovoltaic plant operating on their land. This allows them to generate complementary income from the sale of the produced electricity,» adds Walliser.

This innovative partnership between Épopée Gestion and EnerVivo paves the way for an agroecological energy sector, benefiting both the environment and the sustainability of agricultural operations.

How does EnerVivo contribute to agrivoltaics?

«EnerVivo, founded in Bordeaux in 2022 with an office in Montpellier, is deeply committed to regional development. Our main focus is agrivoltaics, especially in regions like Nouvelle-Aquitaine. As both a consultancy and developer, we manage projects from start to finish, from identifying suitable sites to securing permits, construction, and commissioning. Thanks to our partnership with Épopée Gestion, our team will grow from 10 to 15 members.»
What does a typical agrivoltaic project look like?

«Take a vineyard as an example. About 40% of the land could be covered with photovoltaic panels, installed at heights between 1.5 and 5.5 meters to allow farm machinery access. These panels are remotely controlled, adjustable to optimize sunlight for plants, and retractable to allow light during key growth periods, such as spring. During cold periods, fully deployed panels offer frost protection, raising temperatures by 1-2°C. AI will enhance predictive models, enabling farmers to reduce water use by 30-40%.»
Can the positive impacts of agrivoltaics be improved?

«Research is undoubtedly at the core of our activities in a sector I have been mastering for over 20 years. As an engineer graduated from AgroParisTech and a PhD in process engineering, I have notably led the innovation division at GRDF. At EnerVivo, my team collaborates with leading external partners, such as the Lyon-based company Sun’Agri, which has developed algorithms to optimize plant well-being and the orientation of solar panels. We are also working on the development of digital twins, whose data will help optimize the yields of various agricultural installations without any chemical inputs, as our technology is inherently sustainable.»

Positive Externalities
of the EnerVivo Project

Preparatory Stages of the Project

EnerVivo oversees project development starting from the signing of the lease promise, including:

Agrivoltaics is an innovative technology that involves installing photovoltaic panels to support agricultural activities, thereby creating synergies between solar energy production and agricultural operations (farming or livestock). This model has recently been supported by a strengthened legislative framework, with a decree issued on April 8, 2024, and a ministerial order on July 5, 2024, ensuring that installations maintain a balance between energy production and soil protection. Agrivoltaics addresses the need for a resilient agricultural model in the face of increasingly frequent climate challenges, such as frost risks and water stress caused by global warming. By integrating sensors into agricultural fields and using artificial intelligence, these installations contribute to crop protection by adjusting the panels based on the plants’ needs. They rely on key data such as sunlight, rainfall, and biodiversity, enabling more efficient resource management and better adaptation to changing climatic conditions.

A 10-Hectare Agrivoltaic Project for White Asparagus

Armand Grihon plans to cultivate white asparagus on 10 hectares in Labouheyre, in the Landes region, with 30% of the land covered by photovoltaic panels at a height of 4.5 meters. «These panels will protect the asparagus from heat and late frosts,» says Grihon. «Agrivoltaics addresses soil and plant needs while providing me with complementary income.» This technology, he notes, will help sustain the cultivation of asparagus. Grihon will be a shareholder in the project company.

Corinne Lepage

Lawyer and Former Environment Minister

«Agrivoltaics delivers multiple benefits: reducing greenhouse gas emissions through green electricity, improving agricultural productivity, ensuring viable farming operations, and enhancing climate adaptability. For these reasons, EU law and taxonomy frameworks promote such activities, which deserve widespread support,» emphasizes Corinne Lepage.