The Czech Republic government has approved new law to improve and regulate agriculture PV system known as agrivoltaic system. The measures extend the amount of crop types that can be deployed on agrivoltaic systems.The law, effective from the start of this year, builds on initial measures introduced in May 2024.
The newly approved measures permit agrivoltaic system to be installed on six crop types, including vineyards, hopyards, orchards, tree nurseries, crops in containers and truffle areas.
It also establishes two categories of permissible agrivoltaic systems. The law specifies the first, horizontal systems, must be at least 2.1 meters high to allow farming activities underneath and keep a minimum 95% of the total project area agriculturally significant. The second, vertical systems, can feature rows of photovoltaic modules spaced at least six meters apart.
It is also stipulated that in the agriculture PV system components such as batteries and transformers must occupy no more than 5% of the total project area.
The Czech Solar Association (Solární Asociace) said a central element of the new law is that agricultural land designated for agrivoltaics must remain registered in the Land Parcel Identification System. The association says this ensures continued eligibility for agricultural subsidies and removes the need to remove the land from the Agricultural Land Fund.
The law also defines agrivoltaic systems as "buildings for agriculture," which enables installation on agricultural land without requiring changes to zoning plans.
Jiří Bím, head of the agrivoltaic section of the Czech Solar Association, said the integration of both energy producers and farmers needs sets a new standard for the whole industry.
