Team : MEA

PhD student:  JARDON Clémentine

Thesis supervisors :  SAUDREAU Marc  and co direction Frédéric Normand (CIRAD Hortsys)

Dates : November 2023 - December 2026

Description

Apricot orchards in southern France are subject to adverse climatic events such as late frosts, prolonged droughts and exposure to high levels of radiation, which reduce the trees' production potential. Climate change is manifesting itself in this area through an increase in the occurrence of these events and also in their duration.

Agrivoltaics, particularly with mobile, controlled panels, appears to be a solution for protecting apricot orchards from adverse weather conditions while producing renewable, carbon-free energy. However, this solution raises questions about changes in environmental conditions under the panels and their effects on the development and production of apricot trees. Two experimental setups have been installed on farms in Rivesaltes (Pyrénées Orientales). These consist of a young, non-productive orchard and a mature, productive orchard, part of which is covered by a controlled photovoltaic structure. They will be monitored for three years to answer the research questions.

The thesis will initially focus on modelling the thermal and radiative states of trees under the photovoltaic structure, as well as electricity production based on the movement of the panels. Secondly, the thesis will simulate light interception by trees and use field measurements to determine the effects of the photovoltaic structure on architectural development, ecophysiology and, ultimately, apricot tree production. The ecophysiological functions that will be monitored in particular are: photosynthesis, fruit growth and quality, carbon assimilation after harvest and floral induction. These results will lead to the establishment of rules for controlling the panels to ensure the protection of orchards from adverse weather conditions and optimise the compromise between electricity and agricultural production.

PAR installations (made in PIAF) - December 2024

Blooming - March 2025

Experiment site - May 2024

Links

Clémentine JARDON - Finale régionale Occitanie-Est MT180 2025