The photovoltaic systems on about one hectare of vineyards in the French Pyrenees were torn down and collapsed during a storm. They primarily damaged trellis systems and irrigation. According to a report by the magazine Vitisphere, the damage is estimated at one million euros.

The incident, caused by the storm depression Nils on February 12, is the first of its kind in French viticulture. The storm, with gusts of wind exceeding 150 km/h, lasted for over ten hours. The maximum strength reached 180 km/h. Such values have never been recorded at this weather station. The agrivoltaic system installed in 2025 is designed for wind speeds of up to 120 km/h. However, the clayey soils of the affected parcel were heavily saturated due to the winter rains of 2026 and did not provide adequate stability for the poles, explained officials from the manufacturer Sun’Agri. The entire system is five meters high to allow machines to pass underneath.

The solar modules were already laid flat or tilted at five degrees the evening before the storm to minimize the wind attack area. This safety position is automatically set as soon as the wind exceeds 50 km/h. Since the ongoing assessments block all interventions and vineyard work on the affected parcel, there is now, according to the manager of the Solaspres winery, a risk of disease infestation of the vines.

At other locations with agrivoltaics in Roussillon, the storm caused only limited damage from modules that detached from their mounts.

(al; Image: Solaspres)

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