Photosol signs a partnership with FRUITS ROUGES & Co. and Insolight for the sustainable production of red fruits
A Partnership for Sustainable Red Fruit Production
Photosol, Fruits Rouges & Co, and Insolight have partnered to develop an agrivoltaic demonstrator at the “Campus Fruits Rouges” in Allemant (Aisne). This project aims to optimize local red fruit production using an innovative technology that combines solar energy and sustainable agriculture.
Responding to the Challenges of the Red Fruit Industry
With a 35% increase in consumption over the past five years, red fruits are becoming increasingly popular in France. However, 87% of raspberries consumed in France are still imported, due to insufficient local production. Fruits Rouges & Co, a pioneering SME in the commercialization of red fruits since 1990, has set an ambitious goal: to triple its share of French production by 2028. To meet this challenge, the company quickly considered agrivoltaics as a technical and economic solution, offering optimal protection for the fruit while generating additional income to support the installation.
A Solution for Innovation
In this context, Photosol has teamed up with Fruits Rouges & Co and Insolight to establish a partnership and a pilot project. Photosol has deployed the demonstrator on the Campus with an agrivoltaic solution developed by Insolight: “insolagrin.” This innovative solution with semi-transparent solar panels is an alternative to plastic tunnels. It protects the fruit from bad weather, reduces evapotranspiration, and optimizes water usage while automatically adjusting shading through climate sensors, continuous monitoring, and control managed by the “insol’insights” software.
The Campus Fruits Rouges: A Laboratory of the Future
This agrivoltaic demonstrator is installed at the Campus Fruits Rouges, located in Allemant, Aisne. The raspberry, strawberry, and blueberry crops will be observed for 5 years to evaluate the agronomic and economic benefits of the solution.
But the project goes further: the Campus Fruits Rouges aims to become a true hub for exchange and innovation for producers and stakeholders in the industry, both regionally and nationally. It will serve as a place where sustainable practices and technological solutions come together to strengthen French agricultural sovereignty. This project marks a key step for agrivoltaics in France, combining food sovereignty with energy transition.
A Positive Energy Fruit Production
Fruits Rouges & Co, through a 20-year renewable energy purchase agreement with Photosol, uses the solar electricity from the Campus Fruits Rouges for its cooling and fruit storage needs. This partnership embodies an innovative vision initiated and developed by Insolight with the “positive energy fruit” brand for this new category of fruits growing under agrivoltaic installations, aiming to combine sustainability, respect for natural resources, and quality, while raising consumer awareness of this virtuous model.