Insolight

Switzerland-based Insolight has developed an agrivoltaic solution known as “insolagrin” which replaces plastic tunnels used in crop production with transparent solar modules to enable optimal crop conditions and renewable energy production simultaneously. The semi–transparent PV modules with bifacial solar cells produce solar electricity while sensors continuously measure the climate conditions. Additionally, when required a shading layer is deployed for to provide additional shade and boost electricity production. Insolight has identified several target crops suitable for this set-up including raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, apples, pears, and cherries.

Key customers and partnerships

In October 2021, Insolight in partnership with Romande Energie and Agroscope, deployed its first insolagrin pilot project in Conthey, Switzerland. The four year program aimed to analyze and optimize agricultural and electrical yields from raspberry and strawberry crops. As of February 2024, Insolight has also formed partnerships with MIGROS, Swiss RE Foundation, and Fruits Rouges & Co.

In June 2023, the company in partnership with Monika and Heinz Schmid, deployed its solution at bioschmid GmbH over an area of 2600 m² of raspberry crops. The project aims to produce around 190 MWh of electricity per year. Following construction in 2023, the Swiss Federal Research Station Agroscope Conthey and the Bern University of Applied Sciences will monitor the project for three years.

Funding and financials

Insolight’s latest funding event was in December 2022, when the company raised CHF 4.85 million (~USD 5.5 million) in a funding round led by Demeter. Insolight intends to use the funds to deploy its insolagrin installations in Switzerland and France and support its global commercial scale-up. Prior to this, in July 2020, the company raised CHF 5 million (~USD 6 million) in a Series A led by Investiere.