Third stakeholders meeting under the EAGER project
On the 7th of August 2025, the Third stakeholders meeting within the frame of the project EAGER: “Easing AGrophotovoltaics for EuRope” took place in Strelcha, Bulgaria. The event was organized by the Regional Energy Agency of Pazardzhik (REAP) and the Municipality of Strelcha, partners in the EAGER project, co-funded by the Interreg Europe Programme 2021-2027. The event was attended by various stakeholders representing public administrations, NGOs, energy agencies, agri- producers, and SMEs.
The project’s main objectives and the upcoming activities were presented and what the agro-photovoltaic (APV) system means was clarified. REAP experts explained that the main goal of the EAGER project is to facilitate the adoption of agro-photovoltaic systems across partner regions by fostering a shared understanding of this technology, identifying best practices, and enhancing policy instruments, this project will pave the way for a greener future.
Then, some examples of good practices coming from different partner regions were presented. The installation of solar panels on agricultural land has a dual function: on the one hand, to produce energy, and on the other, to provide shade for some specific types of plants, protecting them from excessive sunlight and high temperatures. In addition to agricultural production, dual use of land can also include livestock farming. One such example is solar grazing. This is a method of controlling vegetation under photovoltaic panels with the help of grazing livestock. Farmers strategically move animals around the solar park to prevent vegetation from growing too high and shading the solar panels.
These integrated approaches lead to high energy efficiency, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants, and savings in energy consumption costs.
The meeting concluded with a discussion on topics related to existing financial schemes and opportunities to fund environmental projects in the area of local agriculture in Strelcha Municipality. Some concrete examples of existing funding programmes have been given by Mr. Katsarov, Deputy Mayor of Strelcha, as well as by Ms. Muhovska, REAP, on innovative schemes like crowdfunding and energy communities which are gradually becoming popular in Bulgaria and East Europe.
