A sustainable solution for market gardeners
Photovoltaic greenhouses
Take advantage of an innovative production solution: protect your crops and modernise
your farm at a lower cost. Mexens designs and finances turnkey photovoltaic greenhouses, tailored to your crops and offering a much longer lifespan
than traditional alternatives (plastic tunnel greenhouses).
A turnkey project, with no investment required on your part.
Crop protection
Low-cost greenhouse
Improved working conditions
A photovoltaic greenhouse is an enclosed agricultural structure with solar panels integrated into its roof. It combines the functions of a conventional greenhouse – protecting crops from adverse weather conditions, controlling the microclimate, and extending growing seasons – with the generation of green electricity using solar energy.
Natural light continues to enter the structure thanks to an optimised design:
the orientation of the modules, appropriate spacing, and translucent side walls.
The crops thus benefit from sufficient sunlight, particularly in the morning
when photosynthesis is most active, whilst the shade provided in the afternoon
limits overheating in summer. Following a hydraulic study, rainwater channelled into a basin can even be used as a natural resource for crop irrigation.
This model provides direct benefits to farming: temperature regulation, reduced evapotranspiration, protection against hail and frost, and a reduction in the use of plant protection products.
Photovoltaic greenhouses are suitable for a wide range of crops: seasonal vegetable production (strawberries, tomatoes, courgettes, lettuces), fruit tree cultivation (kiwis, citrus fruits, avocados), horticulture and nurseries. They enable crop diversification, facilitating a broader range of produce and sales through short supply chains. The design of each greenhouse is tailored to the specific crop: eave height, shading levels, ventilation and climate control are all tailored to your agronomic requirements. The modular layout of the Mexens greenhouse is designed in advance to optimise growing conditions (trellising & sprinkler systems) and improve operational efficiency (access for agricultural machinery).
The business model for the solar greenhouse is based on third-party investment. Mexens covers the full cost of construction. The investment is recouped through the sale of the green electricity generated over the term of the contract.
For the farmer, this means a modern piece of farming equipment at a lower cost, without the need for a bank loan.
The benefits for your project
Crop protection
A photovoltaic greenhouse protects your crops and ensures a steady supply of produce all year round.
- Protection against rain, wind, hail and frost
- Reduction in evapotranspiration and water requirements
- Reduced use of plant protection products
- Pest control
Economical
Modernise your business without affecting your cash flow. Mexens finances all or part of the construction of your photovoltaic greenhouse through the generation of solar energy from your roof.
- Full or partial funding by Mexens (third-party investment)
- New greenhouse funded by solar energy generation
Agricultural development
A greenhouse allows you to diversify your crops, extend the growing season and tap into new markets (local supply chains, direct sales).
- Extension of growing seasons (early and late seasons)
- Diversification of production
- Improved yields thanks to a controlled microclimate
Working conditions
Work sheltered from the elements and the heat. The photovoltaic greenhouse improves the day-to-day comfort of your teams on the farm.
- Sheltered employment all year round
- Reduction of thermal stress
Are you a farmer?
Our photovoltaic greenhouses are suitable for a variety of production profiles.
Find out moreWhich farmers?
Market gardener
Horticulturists
Tree surgeon
Nursery growers
Technical requirements
Owning a plot of agricultural land
Having a construction project exceeding 15,000 m²
Mexens will
take care of your project
Mexens is responsible for the entire lifecycle of your photovoltaic greenhouse.
The group designs and engineers all its installations in-house
Planning permission, surveyor, solicitor
Foundations, structure, roofing, connections
Operational management of the power station and financial management of operations
As members of Soren, we handle the collection, transport and recycling of panels
Removal of photovoltaic modules
Our productions
Mexens designs and builds bespoke photovoltaic greenhouses for farms. Take a look at some of our projects.
What our customers say
Do you have a project?
Your projectWhy choose Mexens?
Contact usOur expertise
Mexens (formerly Technique Solaire), an independent French company founded in 2008, currently operates more than 1,200 solar power plants in France and abroad. We are your single point of contact throughout the entire lifecycle of the installation, from the initial design right through to maintenance.
Our know-how
Mexens has in-house multidisciplinary expertise and a network of qualified subcontractors to successfully deliver your entire project (a project development team, a design office, a team specialising in project finance, a legal team, a procurement team, and an operations and maintenance team).
Our Agronomy and Innovation department designs your solar greenhouse to meet the specific needs of your crops. We arrange for the agronomic management of your project to be carried out by the professional organisation of your choice for 20 years.
Discover our other solar and renewable energy solutions
See all our solutions
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Mexens covers all costs and handles all the necessary procedures: planning permission, Water Act application, surveyor, solicitor, and electricity connection. You don’t have to do a thing.
Yes. The design of our photovoltaic greenhouses is optimised to ensure sufficient sunlight. The orientation of the panels, their spacing and the translucent facades allow the crops to receive the light they need, particularly in the morning when photosynthesis is at its most active. The shade provided in the afternoon also protects the crops from overheating in the summer.
Mexens manages the operation and maintenance of the solar power plant integrated into the greenhouse. You don’t need to deal with the electrical infrastructure: you can focus entirely on your farming business.
A minimum area of approximately 1.5 hectares is required. Our teams assess the feasibility right from the initial discussions.
Do you have any other questions?
Contact our teamsAre you interested in our photovoltaic greenhouse solution?
Request a personalised assessment by filling in this form.
Further reading
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