Latvian Council of Science Grant Agreement No. lzp-2025/1-0505
Project partners: LSFRI "Silava" (leading partner) and Institute of Horticulture.
Total budget: EUR 299,367, incl. LSFRI "Silava" part EUR 157,419.
The research project FruitPower aims to assess the climate change mitigation potential of integrating agrivoltaic systems into fruit orchards. It addresses the need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and enhance carbon sequestration in perennial cropping systems by combining fruit production with on-site renewable energy generation. The Study will analyse the environmental and socio-economic impacts of installing solar panels in orchards and assess their effects on soil carbon turnover, GHG fluxes, and fruit yield and quality. The study focuses on apple and cherry orchards in Latvia and includes both field experiments and modelling. By combining expertise in horticulture and environmental science, the FruitPower will develop improved methods for estimating GHG emissions in orchards, evaluate electrification scenarios for orchard operations, and propose policy recommendations for scaling up agrivoltaic practices. Results will be disseminated through scientific publications, stakeholder workshops, and practical guidelines for growers. It supports Latvia's and EU climate policy goals by promoting knowledge-based bioeconomy and low-carbon transition in agriculture.