Agrivoltaics has been gaining popularity as a promising solution for rural areas and renewable energy. What we didn’t know is that it could also positively impact wine production.
What happened? La Svolta, a winery located in Italy’s Puglia region, has found that incorporating agrivoltaic systems into vineyards can help counteract some of the effects of climate change, slow down grape ripening, and enhance the quality of wine.
This approach has also enabled them to cultivate grape varieties that aren’t traditionally grown in the region. Furthermore, it brings about economic and environmental advantages by conserving water and generating solar energy on the same land used for grape cultivation.
A large agrivoltaic facility. The Vigna Agrivoltaica di Comunità vineyard consists of 7,770 double-junction thin film solar panels with a total power output of 970 kW.
The solar panels are positioned facing south at an angle of 28 degrees on a concrete structure resembling the typical pergola of Italian vineyards. Underneath the panels, vines are grown, providing protection from wind and heat waves.
The key is in the shade. The shade provided by the solar panels has delayed the La Svolta harvest by three to four weeks compared to the surrounding vineyards. This applies to both white and red grapes.
This year, the Vigna Agrivoltaica di Comunità vineyard was harvested at the end of August, while in other areas, it took place weeks earlier.
How agrivoltaics affect wine quality. Less exposure to the sun slows down the accumulation of sugars in the grapes, which improves the balance between alcohol content and acidity during fermentation. According to La Svolta’s winemakers, this makes it possible to produce high-quality wines without the need for corrective interventions.
The agrivoltaic system improved the plants’ water stress, protected the grapes from weather extremes, and reduced wind speed by half compared to the open field. The winery conducted technical studies showing a reduction in irrigation water consumption of up to 20% and an increase in soil yields between 20% and 60%.
Experimentation continues. La Svolta has cultivated more than 30 vine varieties, mainly native to Puglia, hoping to discover new surprises next year. The winery plans to produce sparkling wines with white grapes, for which it believes the agrivoltaic system will be particularly beneficial.
Image | Vigna Agrivoltaica di Comunità
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