Concerns about agriPV still remain in Poland, says trade association

November 8, 2024
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
A GLP Europe rooftop solar installation.
The contribution of solar power to Poland’s energy mix has more than tripled in recent years. Image: GLP Europe.

The contribution of solar power to Poland’s energy mix has more than tripled in recent years, from 2.2% in 2021 to 7.3% in 2023, according to figures from Ember, a change that Roman Karbowy, chairman of the AgriPV Working Group within the Polish Photovoltaics Association, called nothing short of a “revolution”.

Karbowy spoke exclusively to PV Tech Premium about this transition, and how, unlike in some other countries, this shift has been driven largely by small-scale solar installations, such as rooftop residential.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

“This revolution came not from the large-scale PV, but started from the really small scale, up to 1MW installations,” he says, referring to rooftop residential solar in particular as a cornerstone of this transition. “They were growing all over Poland, and right now, renewables can provide more than 30% of the Polish energy mix, which is a huge gain in a few years.”

Speaking in his position as head of the AgriPV Working Group, however, he notes that the picture for agrivoltaics (agriPV) is less encouraging, with concerns among farmers that the addition of agriPV could spoil prime agricultural land remaining an obstacle for the deployment of the technology. This is especially concerning considering the vast potential for agriPV in Europe, with figures from the European Commission suggesting that agriPV, if installed on just 1% of Europe’s farmland, could single-handedly meet Europe’s 2030 solar capacity installation goals.

Considering this vast potential, and the recent rapid changes in Poland’s energy mix, the future could be bright for agriPV in the country, provided there is support, both within the agricultural industry and the national government, for the practice.

Read the full interview with Karbowy here.

PV Tech publisher Solar Media will be organising the fourth edition of Large Scale Solar Central and Eastern Europe in Warsaw, Poland 26-27 November 2024. The event will focus on Eastern Europe with a packed programme of panels from industry leaders, including Roman Kabowy, responsible for the build out of solar and storage projects in Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and the Baltics. For more information visit the event website.

Read Next

October 30, 2025
Scatec posted development and construction (D&C) revenues of NOK1,760 million (US$175.1 million) in the third quarter of this year.
October 30, 2025
Global net zero by 2050 is now “impossible” and the world is on course for temperature rises of 2.6°C, according to energy market analyst Wood Mackenzie.
October 30, 2025
Nexamp has secured US$600 million in financing for distributed solar and energy storage projects in the US.
Premium
October 29, 2025
Damage to solar from so-called Natural Catastrophe events is increasing as the technology expands its reach and weather conditions worsen.
October 29, 2025
Greenvolt and European Energy have finalised financial deals for solar-plus-storage projects in Denmark and Latvia.
October 28, 2025
GreenYellow plans to invest US$116 million in Poland over the next three years to expand its installed capacity and customer base.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Webinars
November 12, 2025
10am PST / 1pm EST
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK
Solar Media Events
March 10, 2026
Frankfurt, Germany