An experimental agriphotovoltaic system in Florence, in via Bolognese, capable of combining, for a social purpose, the generation of renewable energy with agricultural activities, allowing the continuity of crops to be maintained on the installation site. With the coordination of Confapi, the Italian Confederation of Small and Medium Enterprises of Florence, Prato and Pistoia, ANFFAS Onlus Florence has started the study for the construction of an agriphotovoltaic system on its land. The project, carried out in collaboration with the departments of Industrial Engineering and Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Forestry Sciences and Technologies of the University of Florence, represents a virtuous and innovative approach towards a sustainable transition for a rooted third sector organisation. in the Florentine area and committed to supporting disabilities.
The project involves the installation of elevated photovoltaic panels that integrate with decades-old olive trees, creating new protected agricultural spaces on the ground. These spaces will benefit from a microclimate favorable to the cultivation of other crops, such as cherries, potatoes or strawberries, which will be able to supply the canteen of the ANFFAS Onlus Florence shelters and be transformed into zero km products for local distribution channels. This project is perfectly in line with the most recent ministerial indications for the development of photovoltaic systems on agricultural land.
“This project unites and makes three fundamental sectors interact with each other – underlines Silvia Casati, vice president of Confapi and coordinator of the project – renewable energy, agriculture and social issues. It is a concrete demonstration that circular systems, which place the person at the centre, can be created. The integration of these different areas not only promotes environmental sustainability, but also contributes to community well-being, enhancing local resources and supporting people with disabilities. It is a virtuous example of how collaboration and innovation can create sustainable and inclusive solutions for the future. The growing demand for renewable energy in fact requires large lands for the installation of energy systems, risking conflict with the agricultural sector. Agriphotovoltaic systems solve this problem by integrating energy production with the cultivation of agricultural land.”
The main objective of these structures is to maximize land use, allowing for both cultivation and energy production. In this way, farmers can optimize available resources, while contributing to environmental sustainability. The solar panels used in these systems are mounted on elevated supports, which allow the soil below to be comfortably cultivated, minimizing shading and maintaining optimal conditions for plant development. This approach creates shaded areas and a microclimate that protects crops from extreme weather events, promoting a more stable environment for plant growth.
By its nature, the agriphotovoltaic system requires the synergy of various entities with specialized skills. The feasibility study was conducted by the research groups of profs. Carcasci and Pacini of the University of Florence, the legal aspects were handled by the lawyer. Giampaolo Pacini, while the architectural project was handled by Fabrizio Bertini of Studio Associato Geotec, and the technical feasibility analysis was carried out by the company CIEM Impianti Srl with the contribution of Digital and Innovation Technology Advisor and Pitagora srl. Once approved, the project will include, in addition to the usual maintenance, the construction and monitoring of both solar energy capture systems and crops.
Source: Press Office
