As part of the project, our partner White Research has produced significant insights into the socio-economic, legal, and political factors influencing RES adoption in Europe. The findings highlight the barriers and reveal the great potential for integrating renewable energy technologies in agriculture, a critical step toward the EU’s ambitious climate goals.

Farmers' Attitudes: Challenges and Opportunities

A survey conducted across Spain, Italy, Denmark, and Norway revealed that while most farmers are aware of renewable energy technologies, they remain hesitant to adopt them due to financial concerns. High installation costs, uncertain return on investment, and the complexity of available incentives present significant hurdles. However, addressing these concerns through tailored financial support systems, such as subsidies and grants, could unlock the vast potential for RES integration in agriculture.

Figure 1: Farmers perceptions on the potential RES adoption barriers at farm level

One positive finding is that farmers are highly motivated by environmental stewardship. Many farmers see renewable energy as an opportunity to reduce carbon emissions and improve the sustainability of their operations. This alignment between environmental goals and farming practices is a powerful driver that can be further leveraged through targeted awareness campaigns and educational initiatives.

Barriers to RES Adoption: Knowledge and Support

Despite the positive outlook, there are still key barriers to adoption. The survey results highlighted that a lack of technical expertise and limited access to reliable information are major obstacles preventing farmers from integrating RES into their operations. Farmers who receive proper guidance and technical support are more likely to adopt renewable energy solutions.

To address this, the HarvRESt project recommends fostering collaboration between technology providers and the farming community. By creating knowledge-sharing platforms and offering on-the-ground support, farmers can gain confidence in renewable energy technologies, driving adoption and innovation.

Agrivoltaics: Overcoming Barriers to Unlock Sustainable Farming and Energy Production

In Spain, the concept of agrivoltaics—where solar panels are integrated with agricultural activities—has emerged as a promising innovation. However, the study found that social acceptance of large-scale solar installations on farmland is a key challenge. Concerns over the potential impact on agricultural productivity and local landscapes have slowed adoption. To overcome this, local communities must be engaged through education and demonstration projects. Showing farmers and communities the benefits of dual land use - where solar panels and crops coexist - can increase support for agrivoltaics. 

In Italy, agrivoltaics shows immense potential due to the country's abundant solar resources and large agricultural areas. However, several factors affect its uptake. High maintenance and installation costs remain a significant barrier, particularly for small-scale farms. Limited access to information about available financial incentives and the complexity of regulatory processes further slow adoption. Despite these challenges, agrivoltaics presents a promising solution for optimising land use, enhancing energy self-sufficiency, and generating additional income for Italian farmers. Simplifying bureaucratic hurdles and offering clearer support for incentives could help accelerate its adoption.

Wind Energy and Biogas

Denmark stands out as a global leader in wind energy, generating 47% of its electricity from wind in 2022. However, high upfront costs for renewable energy installations, such as biogas systems, present barriers for small farmers. Despite this, Denmark’s strong government support through subsidies and feed-in tariffs makes RES adoption more accessible. Denmark also offers a valuable case for biogas integration at the farm level. With over 150 biogas plants, Denmark has demonstrated that biogas can play a pivotal role in reducing carbon emissions while generating energy from organic waste. The challenge, however, lies in the complexity of regulatory processes and ensuring small-scale projects can connect to the national grid.

In Spain, the integration of biogas technology into agricultural practices presents a valuable opportunity for both energy production and waste management. The country’s vast agricultural sector generates substantial organic waste, which can be harnessed to produce biogas, reducing waste while generating renewable energy. However, the uptake of biogas faces logistical challenges, particularly in ensuring a steady and reliable supply of feedstock. Additionally, high upfront costs for setting up biogas facilities can deter farmers from investing. Despite these hurdles, biogas offers a promising avenue for Spanish farmers to diversify income streams, reduce waste, and contribute to national renewable energy goals. With greater financial support and infrastructure development, biogas could play a key role in Spain’s sustainable energy landscape.

Hydropower and Beyond

Norway has a unique advantage with its abundant renewable resources, particularly hydroelectric power. Hydropower is already a significant part of Norway’s energy landscape, but integrating smaller-scale renewable energy systems like solar and wind into agricultural operations offers new opportunities for Norwegian farmers. The key challenge is improving the logistics of connecting smaller RES projects to the national grid, which remains underdeveloped for decentralised energy sources. Norwegian farmers also face economic barriers, with high initial costs for setting up renewable energy systems. Government support, in the form of financial incentives and streamlined regulatory processes, is crucial for ensuring Norway continues to lead in renewable energy adoption in agriculture.

Collaboration for Success

The key to unlocking the potential of renewable energy in agriculture lies in collaboration. Farmers, energy communities, public authorities, and technology providers all have vital roles to play. By working together, they can develop customised solutions that address the unique challenges faced by rural communities.

Further information

In the newly published HarvRESt report "Mapping of RES integration in farms at EU level" you can read more about the socio-economic, legal, and political factors influencing RES adoption in Europe.