On the occasion of the Agrivoltaic banquet promoted by AIAS, Italian Sustainable Agrivoltaic Association, Lorenza Panunzi visited one of the first agrivoltaic plants built in Italy: the Turned VineyardA project that unites organic viticulture, production energetic And scientific research.
A pioneering system that stands the test of time
The Vigna Svolta is located in the Murge area of Bari, in a hilly area often affected by long periods of drought and from adverse weather conditionsIt is here that, over fifteen years ago, it was installed one of the first Italian agrivoltaic systems.
This is a fixed panel structure – therefore without solar tracking systems – built directly above the rows of an organic vineyard Built on previously abandoned land. The chosen configuration reflects a clear vision: using solar energy not only to produce electricity, but also for promote agricultural and environmental regeneration.
Scientific research and continuous monitoring
There plant management is now part of an experimental project coordinated by Professor Giuseppe Ferrara of the Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences of the University of Bari, which has activated a monitoring program on the main agronomic and microclimatic parameters.
The data collected so far show a significant reduction in soil and air temperatures under the panels: up to 3 degrees less at ground level and 2 degrees in the surrounding atmosphere. This temperature drop causes a lower evapotranspiration by plants, a fundamental factor in an area where water resources are limited.
To better manage the available water, the company has created rainwater collection tanksThanks to the cooler microclimate and the soil's ability to retain moisture, production can be maintained even during the hottest months, when vines grown outdoors would suffer greatly.
Reduced production and adaptation in progress
Continuous shading causes a slight decrease in the quantity of grapes produced. However, the company has adopted a strategy of qualitative compensationThe grapes coming from covered rows are combined with those coming from unshaded areas to balance any organoleptic differences.
Furthermore, tests are underway with varieties best suited to growing in the shade, such as Traminer and Primitivo, to better understand the adaptive potential of the vine in low light conditions. The project does not simply “tolerate” shading, but tries to transform it into an opportunity to diversify and innovate.
More life in the vineyards
One of the most interesting effects observed so far is the improving biodiversity. The microclimatic conditions more stable ones seem to favor the presence of beneficial insects and pollinators, making the plant not only a production space, but also a more welcoming habitat for the local fauna. This aspect, often underestimated, demonstrates how a well-designed agrivoltaic can also contribute to the ecological quality of the agricultural landscape.
A concrete experience to learn from
The visit to Vigna Svolta was an opportunity to observe closely an agrivoltaic model that is not only theoretical, but live, working and constantly monitored. In an era where climate adaptation is no longer a choice but a necessity, experiences like this indicate aa possible direction for the agriculture of the futureA direction made of experimentation, data And coexistence between crops and infrastructure.
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