Agronomic results of summer 2026

Record temperatures, water shortages and early harvests: the summer of 2026 put agriculture under severe strain. Across around 40 sites equipped with Sun’Agri’s technology, the results demonstrate the benefits of actively managed shading for crops: reduced heat exposure, lower water requirements and protected harvests. With Sun’R’s Sun’Agri technology, the Eiffage Group has a practical solution to help farmers adapt to climate change.

1. Reduced exposure to extreme heat

In Dardilly (Rhône), protected leaves spent around one-third as much time above 35°C in July as unprotected leaves. This reduced their exposure to temperatures that can inhibit growth. During periods of extreme heat, actively managed shading can also lower leaf and soil temperatures by up to 10°C.

2. Less water needed to protect harvests

Monitoring since 2019 has shown an average reduction of 30% in irrigation across the crops studied. In Piolenc (Vaucluse) in 2026, protected vines, even without irrigation, had fewer shrivelled grapes than irrigated control vines: 12% compared with 16%. A tangible benefit when water is scarce.

3. Higher grape yields and more balanced wines that meet market expectations

In Tresserre (Pyrénées-Orientales), yields under actively managed shading in 2026 were around twice as high for Chardonnay and three times as high for Grenache as in the control areas. The booklet also reports 10–13% lower sugar levels and 19–20% higher acidity—a balance that supports lighter, fresher wines that better meet consumer expectations.

4. More cherries reaching marketable size

In Carpentras (Vaucluse), for the Nimba variety, around 8 in 10 cherries grown under actively managed shading were marketable, compared with 2 in 10 without protection; the remaining fruit was too small. For the Balrine variety, protected trees produced nearly five times as many marketable cherries. For growers, this means more fruit to sell and less waste.

Sun’Agri adjusts the positioning of its panels to meet plants’ needs, with the aim of enabling as many farmers as possible to protect their production and earn a better living from their work.

📖 Explore the detailed results and testimonials from Sun’Agri farmers in the “2026 Agronomic Results” booklet here.