Global Solar Council Launches AgriPV Taskforce to Unlock the Next Frontier of Solar Growth

New initiative, chaired by NextPower, will bring together leaders from the solar and agricultural sectors to accelerate the global deployment of AgriPV.

Munich, Germany – 23 June 2026 – The Global Solar Council (GSC) today announced the launch of its new AgriPV Task Force, a global initiative designed to accelerate the growth of agrivoltaics (AgriPV) and unlock one of the most significant opportunities for the future of solar deployment.

Launched at Intersolar Europe 2026 and chaired by NextPower, the Task Force will bring together industry leaders from both the solar and agriculture industry along with policymakers, researchers, developers, and farmers, to advance policies, share best practices, and build the foundations for a scalable global AgriPV market.

As countries face the interconnected challenges of energy security, food production, land use, and climate resilience, AgriPV is emerging as a powerful solution that allows solar energy generation and agricultural activity to coexist on the same land, with crops grown or livestock raised underneath or between solar arrays.

With global solar deployment now standing at approximately 3 TW, studies suggest that AgriPV could unlock an additional 10–14 TW of solar capacity worldwide if just 1% of agricultural land were utilised, creating a major new pathway for solar growth while supporting rural communities and agricultural productivity.

Sonia Dunlop, CEO of the Global Solar Council, said:

“It is essential that we scale up deployment and awareness of AgriPV worldwide to have specific strategies for leveraging this innovative application of solar. But we must allow space for further innovation and R&D with wide definitions of Agri-PV in more regions of the world, especially in the Global South, to further test how to best optimise the twin power and farm output. NextPower is particularly well positioned to lead this piece of work worldwide given their pioneering experience in the AgriPV space, and I very much look forward to working with them leading the work of this important Task Force.”

Phillip Kunze, Chair of the GSC AgriPV Task Force and Vice President Business Development and Sales, Europe at Nextpower, said:

"The question is no longer whether solar and agriculture can coexist on the same land but how to make that combination work as well as possible for both. NextPower has been answering that question on the ground, optimising agrivoltaic systems for dual use on working farms around the world. Chairing the GSC AgriPV Task Force is a natural extension of our work. We're eager to bring the right expertise and stakeholders together to make responsible AgriPV deployment a global reality.”

AgriPV's defining strength is its versatility, encompassing a wide range of solutions adapted to different climates, crops, and geographies. From crop cultivation and water conservation to biodiversity enhancement, desertification prevention, and innovative vertical solar systems, AgriPV is rapidly expanding the possibilities of how solar can be deployed.

“Farmers are facing growing pressures from climate change, volatile markets, water scarcity, and the need to produce more with fewer resources. AgriPV offers a practical opportunity to strengthen farm resilience while contributing to clean energy generation through multi-purpose land use. When designed and implemented well, with grid connections enabled, AgriPV can help farmers diversify income, improve land productivity, and support long-term rural sustainability. The creation of the GSC AgriPV Task Force is an important step in bringing together the agricultural and solar sectors to ensure that farmers are at the centreof this conversation and that the benefits of AgriPV are realised responsibly and at scale”, said Jonathan Scurlock, UK National Farmers Union representative.

While momentum continues to grow, the potential of the sector is still widely untapped. Regulatory frameworks continue to evolve, financing models are still maturing, and many projects remain at the pilot stage. The new GSC AgriPV Task Force will bridge these gaps and accelerate responsible deployment worldwide.

“The next phase of solar growth will require innovative solutions that deliver multiple benefits for society at once. AgriPV does exactly that. It expands the role of solar beyond energy generation, helping to make agriculture more climate resilient, improve land productivity, enhance water efficiency, and create new opportunities for rural communities. This is not a niche technology—it is a major opportunity to scale both clean energy and food & water security, globally”, said Jochen Hauff, GSC’s Ambassador for Agrivoltaics & Senior Advisor

The Task Force will focus on:

• Promoting greater understanding of AgriPV and its benefits
• Sharing global best practices and case studies
• Supporting policy and regulatory development
• Fostering collaboration between the solar and agricultural sectors
• Developing industry recommendations and thought leadership
• Amplifying the voices of stakeholders across energy, agriculture, food, and water systems

Over the coming months, the Task Force will develop key outputs including policy recommendations, case studies, industry guidance, and a position paper ahead of COP31, helping establish a stronger framework for the growth of AgriPV globally.

By bringing together expertise from across the solar and agricultural value chains, the GSC AgriPV Task Force aims to position agrivoltaics as a critical pillar of the next phase of solar growth—one that delivers benefits not only for energy systems, but also for farmers, food security, and climate resilience.

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About the Global Solar Council

The Global Solar Council (GSC) is the voice of the world’s solar and solar + storage industry, bringing together national, regional, and international associations alongside leading corporate members across the solar value chain. GSC works to accelerate the deployment of solar energy worldwide and advance the transition to a sustainable, resilient, and affordable energy future.

Learn more: https://www.globalsolarcouncil.org/

For inquiries, contact [email protected] and [email protected]

About NextPower

NextPower is a global clean energy technology company advancing the future of utility-scale solar power. Formerly known as Nextracker, the company designs, engineers, and delivers integrated solutions that combine structural, electrical, and digital technologies to improve the performance, reliability, and efficiency of solar power plants worldwide. Through innovation in solar tracking, intelligent controls, power systems, and advanced energy technologies, NextPower helps accelerate the deployment of clean energy and supports the transition to a more resilient, electrified future. With projects spanning six continents, NextPower is committed to delivering smarter energy infrastructure that powers sustainable growth around the world.

Learn more: www.nextpower.com⁠