Agrivoltaics, a new possibility for horticulture

Agrivoltaics is the challenging target of a hybrid coexistence on the land of both agricultural/livestock activities and production of renewable (solar) energy. The two systems can allow a more efficient use of the land, but there are few application studies regarding fruit species. Grape is an important species grown worldwide for either wine or fresh/dried consumption and the possibility to use the land for viticultural and energy production could support the environmental and economic sustainability of the agroecosystem, particularly in conditions of water scarcity. To evaluate the coexistence of solar panels with fruit species, i.e., grape, a study is currently carried out in the agrivoltaics farm of the Svolta company, Puglia region (Southeastern Italy), countryside of Laterza (Taranto province). Grapevines of Primitivo cultivar are trained either beneath solar panels or in full sun, and during two growing seasons, microclimatic, eco-physiological and quali-quantitative parameters were investigated together with the spectral composition of the light radiation in the two plots. The results showed the positive influence of the solar panels in mitigating the high temperatures occurring in summer, with lower temperatures close to the agrivoltaics canopies with respect to the ones in full sun conditions. The panels allowed a better water status of the soil with a saving of water and consequently beneficial effects on midday grape stem water potential. The lower R/FR ratio and the attenuation of blue light occurring beneath the panels increased the specific leaf area with a higher number of secondary shoots. Grapevine vigor, productivity, and relative yield components were also enhanced, although ripening was delayed, with lower sugars and higher acidity detected at harvest on agrivoltaics grapes. Results obtained are promising and further species will be evaluated even for the possibility to include this combination in various urban areas, i.e., parking lots, parks, urban horticultural areas.