The covered orchard is a solar cell

France is using mobile solar cells to generate electricity and create shade for orchards, helping plants cope with the heat.

Climate extremes are a threat to the agricultural industry. Crop yields are projected to decline in most of the world's producing regions in the coming decades, without adaptation, according to a report by climate change research organization MedECC.

As a "victim" of global warming, farmers in the French Mediterranean basin - which is warming 20% ​​faster than the rest of the world - are testing a farming model. Using solar cells as a portable roof, both generate clean electricity and help plants grow better in hot and dry conditions.

"Just like we hold umbrellas, the shade from the solar cells will protect the vines from most extreme heat waves. This helps them grow normally and reduces the amount of moisture evaporating, which means the plants. The grape has reserves to complete its cycle," says grape grower Gautier Hugues in the Var region, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azu, southern France.

However, shade is not always good for plants. "If you provide shade when the tree doesn't need it, that's a disaster," notes horticulturist Christian Davico-Pahin.

Therefore, solar roofs need to have a portable design. The company Ombrea founded by Davico-Pahin has developed sensors that measure humidity, wind speed, light and soil condition in vineyards. Every 15 to 20 seconds, they send data to a software that analyzes and remotely controls the canopy movement, creating an ideal microclimate.

The electricity produced by the panels will be sold to the local grid, which will help reduce the cost of equipment installation.

Also in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azu, one of the centers of apple and pear production in France, the agricultural experimental station La Pugère is also testing a portable canopy over a 700-square-meter apple orchard with the production company. Sun'R energy.

"During periods of intense sunlight, awnings help cool the foliage up to 4°C lower, thereby reducing the risk of leaf and fruit sunburn," said lead researcher Vincent Lesniak at La Pugère.

However, because movable awnings limit water evaporation and reduce the need for irrigation, the addition of moisture can sometimes increase the risk of fungal diseases. Experts are still uncertain about all the benefits of the new growing method, so the model needs to be tested and monitored for several years before scaling up.