The first agrovoltaic park in the Balearics will boost solar capacity five-fold on Menorca

The sunrays will rain down to produce energy and lavender

With the start of the new week, work has also begun on the Agrisolar des Mercadal agrovoltaic park on the island of Menorca. This facility will be the first of its kind in the Balearic Islands, a Mediterranean region of Spain, better known as a vacation and party getaway.

Once operational, the park will generate power equivalent to 6,000 homes (20 MWps) and will be unique in agro-energy production. The project is considered strategic by the regional authorities as their objective is to have Menorca be powered by 85% renewable energies by the year 2030.

With this park alone, Menorca will multiply its photovoltaic power by five, to reach 25 MW. The start-up of the park construction will allow progress towards the closure of the Maó thermal power plant, and thus reduce emissions into the atmosphere.

The agro element in the solar park

The park plans to grow lavender among the rows of panel supporters, which would essentially represent a leading faciltiy in agro-energy production in all of Spain. Projected shade has a positive effect on air temperature, radiation and water requirements, as it produces cooler daytime and warmer nighttime temperatures, and higher humidity than with traditional air growing.

For this reason, state-of-the-art bifacial panels will be installed, which allow part of the radiation to pass through. These panels generate electricity on the back side, thanks to the reflection of light in the crops.

The park is but a milestone in the roadmap of energy sovereignty of Menorca. It will soon be joined other parks under construction or under planning. These are the PFV in Son Salomó (50 MW) and the Menorca Renovables III in Maó (60 MW and declared strategic), among others.

What’s more, up to 80 jobs have been created in this construction phase of Agrisolar des Mercadal, adding to the local economy.