Detail – Energy Country Profile

A specialized study on the potential of solar energy use in the agricultural and freshwater aquaculture sectors in Croatia was promoted at the Croatian State Archives in Zagreb, with the involvement of Renewable Energy Sources of Croatia (OIEH), the University of Zagreb, the Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences in Osijek, and the Institute for Adriatic Culture and Karst Reclamation from Split, and funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Losses from climate extremes in Croatia have increased 16 times from 2018 to 2022, with droughts, floods, and hailstorms causing 1.2 billion euros worth of damages in agriculture from 2013 to 2019; however, a new study presented by OIEH suggests that Agrisolar farms, which allow for dual use of land and ponds, could provide a solution by enabling simultaneous food and electricity production. The study conducted by experts from various institutions identified viticulture, fruit growing, cultivation of aromatic and medicinal herbs, grassland farming, and fish farming as suitable for agrisolar systems in Croatia, while vegetable production, cereal production, industrial and fodder crops were considered unsuitable. While almost everywhere they have demonstrated multiple benefits, often even increased food production, one of the challenges that arise with the development of agrisolar projects is ignorance, lack of understanding, and misconceptions.

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