Rows of energy
A high-tech orchard in the countryside of Auer (Ora), South Tyrol is testing the symbiosis between agriculture and photovoltaics.
Photovoltaic modules above the apple orchards in the new agrivoltaic plant in Auer
Nearly five meters above the apple orchards, photovoltaic panels adjust their position throughout the day according to the movement of the sun. They are supported by solar trackers designed to withstand the wind and equipped with sensors that monitor energy production, soil conditions, and the microclimate created beneath the panels. This is happening in Auer, in the countryside south of Bolzano, where an agrivoltaic system with unique features in Italy has been installed.
The system covers about 3,000 square meters of apple orchards arranged over 13 rows and has an installed capacity of around 70 kilowatts peak – enough to meet the average electricity needs of approximately 20 households. The installation includes three distinct sections with panels featuring varying degrees of transparency, placed over two types of orchards – with either wider or narrower spacing between the rows.
The height at which the panels were installed was the most significant technological challenge in designing the system. The rotation axis of the panels is positioned 4.80 meters above the ground, a height calculated to avoid obstructing the growth of the apple trees and agricultural operations. The structures, produced by Convert Italia/Valmont Solar, were tested in a wind tunnel to ensure resistance to weather conditions, particularly the sail effect of the panels during strong winds. The material chosen was corten steel, also known as weathering steel, both for its resistance to atmospheric agents and for its color, which blends harmoniously with the orchard structures.
“The entire system was designed by involving expertise from various sectors to ensure that the needs of the orchard, mechanized agriculture, and energy production were all respected; we aimed to optimize the integration between the supporting structures for the apple trees, the structures that hold the panels, and the hail protection nets,” explains Giovanni Borz, researcher at Eurac Research and coordinator of the European project Symbiosyst, which funded the installation of the system.
The system is equipped with an advanced monitoring setup. Sensors and instruments installed at various points measure parameters such as solar radiation useful for photosynthesis, soil and air temperature and humidity, and wind speed and direction. The orchard’s agricultural production will also be closely monitored: particular attention will be paid to tree growth, flowering, the quantity and quality of the yield, and the water requirements of the plants.
Data to aim for balance between agricultural and energy production
The installation in Auer is a research facility designed to collect data that can guide future applications of agrivoltaics. This technology is still relatively new, and so are its impacts. “Alongside the clear benefit of producing renewable energy, there are some consequences for agriculture. On one hand, the shade cast by the panels could affect the productivity of the apple trees; on the other hand, this same shade could reduce sunburn damage and lower the amount of water needed for irrigation,” explains Walter Guerra from the Laimburg Research Centre, which collaborated with Eurac Research and other project partners on the implementation of the installation.
The key challenge for agrivoltaics is finding the right balance between farming and energy production: it's important not to cover too much farmland, so as not to compromise yields; at the same time, the number of panels must be sufficient to make the energy investment economically viable. According to the project partners, there is great anticipation for the insights that will emerge from these first installations. Some significant data could already become available by the end of the current growing season, although several cycles will be needed for a comprehensive assessment.
According to a recent report by the European Commission (JRC), covering just one percent of the agricultural land used in Europe with agrivoltaic systems could be enough to exceed the 2030 targets for solar energy.
“A similar estimate can be applied to South Tyrol: using even a small portion of the region’s cultivated land would be enough to move closer to the province’s emission reduction goals. The Province of Bolzano is currently working on a regulatory framework for agrivoltaics, and we are confident that this installation will provide valuable insights and a real push in that direction,” says Wolfram Sparber, Director of the Institute for Renewable Energy at Eurac Research.
The European project
The European project Symbiosyst, funded by the Horizon Europe programme, brings together 16 partners from across Europe and will run for four years. In addition to the installation built in Bolzano, the project includes the construction of two other pilot systems: one in Barcelona, on fruit and vegetable crops, and one in the Netherlands, above a greenhouse. These case studies will allow the project team to assess electricity production and its potential for local reuse in various contexts: to meet the energy needs of an energy community, an industrial area, a fruit and vegetable consortium, or the farm itself.
The priority of the research is the well-being of the crops. In the various pilot installations, sensors have been installed to measure parameters such as temperature, humidity, and solar radiation. Agricultural indicators will also be monitored in order to assess the impact of the photovoltaic systems on the plants. Thanks to “twin” monitoring systems installed at each site, the data collected can be compared to provide concrete insights on how to foster a true symbiosis between agriculture and energy production.
The Symbiosyst project does not focus solely on the technical aspects related to agrivoltaics, but also on the social impact of this technology. “Already in the design phase, it is necessary to ensure that these systems do not contribute to perpetuating existing inequalities or creating new social and environmental injustices. This means taking into account concerns about the landscape impact, or assessing the need for compensatory measures for the environmental impact, such as integrating areas dedicated to biodiversity restoration. These aspects must not be secondary to the goals of decarbonization or to managing land-use conflicts between agricultural and energy production,” explains Silvia Tomasi, environmental economist at Eurac Research.
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