A revolutionary project installs solar panels on vineyards

Italian winery gets twice the benefits in the same space: clean energy and quality wines

2024-09-21

Share it!

In a groundbreaking development, Italian winery La Svolta Srl has found a way to not only produce high-quality wine but also generate clean energy from the same land. This dual-benefit approach comes through the adoption of agrivoltaic technology, which allows vineyards to share their space with solar panels. In the picturesque town of Laterza in the Taranto province, this winery has implemented a system that enhances the ripening of grapes while producing renewable energy, marking a significant milestone for sustainable agriculture.

Agrivoltaic systems, often called agriPV, represent an innovative blend of agriculture and photovoltaics. These systems involve installing solar panels above crops, allowing for both agricultural output and solar energy production to coexist. At La Svolta, this has led to tangible results: not only has grape ripening slowed in 2024, extending the harvest by up to four weeks compared to neighboring vineyards, but the quality of the wine has improved dramatically. This dual achievement is attributed to the shading provided by the panels, which moderates the temperature around the vines and shields them from extreme weather, crucial in an era of rapidly changing climate conditions.

In the agriPV vineyards, La Svolta cultivates two main grape varieties: Primitivo, a hallmark red of southern Italy, and Goldtraminer, an aromatic white typically grown in the cooler alpine region of Trentino. Remarkably, the agriPV system has allowed the Goldtraminer, usually unsuited to warmer climates, to thrive in southern Italy. This success is owed to the microclimate created under the solar panels, where temperatures are kept lower and the vines are protected from direct sunlight, thus allowing for a longer and more controlled ripening period.

One key advantage of this extended ripening is the gradual increase in sugar content within the grapes. For both Primitivo and Goldtraminer, sugar levels exceeded expectations in 2024, promising wines with richer, more complex flavors. La Svolta predicts a vintage of exceptional quality this year, especially for the Goldtraminer, which has adapted impressively to the region's warmer climate under the new system.

The benefits of agrivoltaic systems go beyond just extending harvest times. The panels offer partial shading that significantly reduces heat stress on the vines. This becomes particularly important during Italy's increasingly hot summers, which often accelerate grape ripening to undesirable levels. By slowing the process, the panels allow growers to avoid excessive sugar accumulation, which can lead to overly alcoholic wines lacking balance.

The impact of this innovation is backed by research. Studies from the Universities of Verona and Bari have shown that agrivoltaic systems can reduce water stress on plants by as much as 20%, optimizing water usage—an increasingly vital factor as droughts become more frequent. In addition, vines grown under these panels exhibit healthier vegetative growth compared to those fully exposed to the sun. The partial shading helps regulate temperature and wind speed, contributing to both higher yields and better quality fruit.

One clear example from 2024 highlights this impact: vineyards across Puglia, where La Svolta is located, experienced an earlier-than-usual harvest due to extreme summer heat. However, under the agrivoltaic system, grapes at La Svolta's Vigna Agrivoltaica matured more slowly, delaying the harvest and allowing for more balanced acidity and sugar levels. By late August, Primitivo grapes under the solar panels measured 21 degrees Babo, a more ideal sugar content for winemaking, while grapes in the fully sun-exposed vineyards had already surpassed 25 degrees Babo, making them overly ripe for balanced vinification.

The agriPV system at La Svolta isn't just a tool for better grape growing—it's a renewable energy source in its own right. With a capacity of 970 kWp, the solar installation covers three hectares of land using thin-film photovoltaic technology. These panels, angled to optimize solar capture, provide energy while being engineered to withstand the region's strong winds. The system represents a practical, future-focused solution to maximizing land use by producing both energy and high-quality agricultural products simultaneously.

This dual-use model presents numerous ecological and economic advantages. By generating clean energy, La Svolta reduces its carbon footprint and reliance on external energy sources, cutting costs while contributing to environmental sustainability. At the same time, the system enhances agricultural output, providing a clear economic return through improved grape quality and yields.

The success of La Svolta's agrivoltaic vineyard has prompted the winery to expand its experimentation with different grape varieties. Beyond the Primitivo and Goldtraminer, the winery has also reported promising results with Falanghina, a white grape known for its high natural acidity, which is ideal for sparkling wine production. The Falanghina grown under the solar panels is showing particularly favorable characteristics for the development of méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines, thanks to the cool, slow-ripening conditions created by the panels.

Meanwhile, the Primitivo harvested in 2024 under this system exhibited traits rarely seen in southern Italian reds. With an alcohol content of 13.5% and a pH level of 3.5, the wine's elegance and acidity were reminiscent of northern Italy's more refined red wines, a result of the balanced growing conditions created by the solar panels.

La Svolta's work with agrivoltaic technology extends beyond viticulture. In collaboration with the Italian Association for Sustainable Agrivoltaics (AIAS), the winery is also exploring the application of this system to other crops, including fruits and vegetables. Early results suggest that agriPV could revolutionize sustainable agriculture across multiple sectors, optimizing both food production and energy generation on the same land.

This agrivoltaic project, with its focus on sustainability and innovation, provides a model for the future of agriculture. By seamlessly integrating renewable energy production with high-quality farming, La Svolta is leading the way toward a more sustainable future. As climate change continues to challenge traditional agricultural practices, systems like these offer a solution that benefits both the environment and the economy.

The combination of solar energy production with viticulture not only enhances wine quality but also addresses pressing environmental issues such as water conservation and carbon reduction. In the words of Alessandra Scognamiglio, president of AIAS, projects like La Svolta's showcase how agricultural innovation can contribute to community well-being while preserving vital resources like water and soil.

As the world continues to seek more sustainable ways of living, La Svolta and its agrivoltaic vineyards represent a pioneering step forward. By harnessing the power of the sun to produce both energy and world-class wine, the winery is setting a standard for how agriculture can adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change. With future plans for expanding production and experimenting with sparkling wines, La Svolta is a beacon of innovation in the wine industry, proving that sustainability and excellence can go hand in hand.

 
Liked the read? Share it with others!