The panel Agrosolar and aquasolar – energy that feeds us was one of the most forward-looking and inspiring discussions at the ZG Green Energy Fair 2025, moderated by Ana-Marija Špicnagel. It brought together experts from energy, agriculture, and environmental science to explore how energy, food, and water can grow together instead of competing for space.
🌱 Professor Ninoslav Holjevac from FER reminded everyone that energy projects must now treat environmental protection as a fundamental part of their design, noting that agrosolar systems will soon formally enter environmental impact assessments in Croatia. In that line he presented ongoing SHADOW project financed by the EU funds.
🌱 From the University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, professor Marko Karoglan explained how vineyards are adapting to climate change, showing that agrosolar installations are a natural evolution of traditional shading systems that now also generate electricity.
🌱 Professor Goran Krajacic from University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture highlighted the potential of floating solar systems to connect hydropower, water management and renewable generation. These hybrid systems can reduce evaporation and increase hydro output by up to 20 percent, while avoiding land use conflicts. Zoran Poljanec from Oikon Ltd. - Institute of Applied Ecology emphasized that agrosolar projects are installed above perennial crops and have no negative effect on soil or biodiversity.
🌱 Marina Prusina and Mislav Kontek from EnergoVizija Ltd. underlined how multidisciplinary teams are driving this sector forward and shared that around 500 MW of agrosolar and aquasolar projects are already in development in Croatia. Their approach proves that the technology is ready, and it is time for faster procedures and stronger coordination between sectors.
This panel showed that the future of energy, water and agriculture is shared, and that sustainability begins where these worlds meet. ⚡ 💧 🫒
