Agrivoltaic (Agri-PV) involves the use of land both for agriculture and solar energy generation. Such dual systems have been developed in recent years. So far, however, their potential to contribute to biodiversity and ecosystem services restoration has been rarely discussed. The network aims to investigate an innovative and sustainable triple use approach, called the AgriPVplus system, that combines crop production, solar energy generation, and restoration of biodiversity. This approach enables, e.g., improving species diversity in intensively used agricultural areas or restoring degraded soil, resolving land-use conflicts, and fostering socioeconomic benefits.

Objectives of the network are

1. building an interdisciplinary research group of ecologists, photovoltaic research engineers, and agricultural scientists;
2. forming a cross-sector collaboration between science, the solar industry, farmers, and relevant stakeholders;
3. developing joint projects of European-wide relevance;
4. demonstrating the application of well tested restoration methods for the triple use approach of Agri-PVplus systems and research of its effects and synergies;
5. supporting the EU Restoration Agenda of the EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy and the EU’s 2050 climate neutrality goal.