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HORTICULTURE

AGRIVOLTAICS: INNOVATION BETWEEN

TECHNOLOGY AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

Idromeccanica+Lucchini,+leveraging+its+ A 360° service: technology,
knowledge+ and+ experience,+ has+ devel9 consultancy and economic
oped+its+own+comprehensive+project+on+
advanced+agrivoltaics. sustainability
The system, entirely designed and built The project, however, stands out not
by Idromeccanica Lucchini, represents a only for its advanced technologies, but
turning point in the landscape of renew-
able energy in Italy, efficiently and sustain- also for the complete and integrated ap-
ably combining photovoltaics with agricul- proach offered by Idromeccanica Lucchini.
ture. In addition to the supply of technological
Innovation according to Lucchini
infrastructures, the company accompanies
The versatility of the system has already customers throughout the entire process,
demonstrated how the plant is one of the from bureaucracy to electrical connection,
best solutions currently available on the The Lucchini system was in fact designed
national market, thanks to its technical and to promote cultivation, especially for pe- up to financing consultancy. Our " tailor-
especially agronomic advantages. rennial plants that require particular envi- made " approach, a trademark of Lucchini,
ronmental conditions and dedicated pro- allows for continuous fine tuning, which
The knowledge acquired over the years cessing.
in relation to agronomic structures has not only improves agronomic and energy
allowed us to design a system that does Our innovative anti-hail and/or anti-rain performance, but also the economic prof-
not require concrete foundations, thus covering system is designed to guarantee itability of the plant, thanks to a complete
avoiding the movement of the soil and maximum protection and flexibility. The advisory service and the presentation of
safeguarding the existing crops, ensuring solution combines two advanced tech- financial solutions that are tailored to the
stability thanks to steel structures compli- nologies: one part of the system is made
ant with the technical construction regula- with an arch system and a tuning anti-rain specific situation.
tions (NTC). sheet, similar to a greenhouse; while the A model for the future - versatility
other uses a cable system, inspired by the
The simulations confirm a structural "orchard" model, with anti-rain sheet, for a DQG GLYHUVLÀHG DSSOLFDWLRQV
life of over 50 years, an extraordinary fig- safe and resistant covering. In an ideal sys-
ure - considering that the average life of All this represents only the beginning
photovoltaic panels is, for now, estimated tem, equipped with large spaces, the sys- of a journey characterized by continuous
at about 25-30 years. This makes the Idro- tem can be completely closed like a "box", growth. Agrivoltaics, in fact, lends itself to
offering total and optimal protection, per-
meccanica Lucchini system a particularly numerous applications, not only for the
advantageous long-term solution. fect for those investing in new systems. cultivation of kiwi, but also in other agri-
The technological excellence of the The solar panel system, in this case, cultural contexts, such as orchards, vine-
system acts as a sort of natural protection, shield- yards, open fields, and even in the livestock
ing the plants from both variable climate
In terms of technology, we have intro- conditions and excessive exposure to the sector. This versatility makes Lucchini's
duced a number of innovative components, sun, especially during the increasingly hot proposal not only premium, but also (and
ensuring resistance against even the most Italian summers. This solution, in fact, re- above all) scalable and adaptable to the
extreme weather events, and minimizing duces the risk of sunburn on the fruit, also
wear and maintenance requirements. This contributing to the reduction of H2O con- most diverse production needs, including
type of innovation, as mentioned, guaran- sumption, thanks to the penumbra effect small-sized systems for private contexts.
tees maximum reliability for 50 years, limit- - a crucial aspect in a historical moment in
ing the need for routine and extraordinary which the scarcity of water resources is an In conclusion, we can con!dently state
maintenance: a real ‘bonus’ in terms of cost increasingly pressing criticality. that our advanced agrivoltaic system dem-
and management for customers. onstrates how technological innovation can
Although studies are still underway to
$JURQRPLF EHQHÀWV DQG measure the increase in yield per square skillfully combine with sustainability and
sustainability meter, the first empirical results suggest agriculture, building a successful business
In addition to the technological benefits, that the system provides very encouraging model in which technology and agriculture
agriculture also benefits greatly from the responses both in terms of crop protection merge to ensure concrete, environmental
installation of these agrivoltaic systems. and productivity. and economic bene!ts. Circle 26 on enquiry card
20 Vol. 40 No. 8