Fifth stakeholders meeting in Bulgaria within the frame of the EAGER project
On the 11th of August 2026, the fifth stakeholders meeting within the frame of the project EAGER (Easing AGrophotovoltaics for EuRope) took place in Strelcha, Bulgaria and was organised by the Regional Energy Agency of Pazardjik (REAP) and the Municipality of Strelcha. The event was attended by various stakeholders representing public administrations, NGOs, energy agencies, agri-producers and SMEs.
The meeting commenced with a brief presentation of the project, its main objectives and the partners involved. Experts from REAP explained the significance of agro-photovoltaics (APV) as a technology that promotes efficient land use and a steady transition towards sustainable energy production from renewable sources.
The event continued with examples of various good practices from different partner regions, combining photovoltaics with either crop cultivation or livestock tending.
During the meeting, special attention was paid to the policy improvement for Bulgaria, which was developed within the project, as part of the Integrated Development Plan of the Municipality of Strelcha. The document titled “Concept for Site Selection and Municipal Framework for the Development of Agro-Photovoltaic Systems in the Municipality of Strelcha” aims to establish transparent criteria for site selection, preliminary project assessment, and decision-making while ensuring that agricultural production remains the primary land use. The guideline is expected to be finalised and formally adopted by the Municipality of Strelcha at the beginning of 2027 and is the first of its kind for Bulgaria. The experience gained from developing and implementing this guideline will be disseminated to municipalities across Bulgaria, supporting wider uptake of Agri-PV planning practices beyond the pilot municipality.
The meeting concluded with an open discussion, allowing all stakeholders to express their opinions regarding the concept, which were overwhelmingly positive. Also, the upcoming Study visit to Bulgaria in September 2026 was highlighted as an opportunity for local stakeholders to enhance their APV expertise through European and local insights, expert discussions, and demonstration sites and operational agrivoltaic installations in Bulgaria.
