Agri-voltaic

The main objective of agri-voltaico is to accelerate the spread of photovoltaics in Italy, avoiding the replacement of crops with implants, but integrating them and making them a factor supporting agricultural income, creating a new “delivery model” (production and diffusion).
 
Agri-voltaic introduces photovoltaic production on farms integrating it with that of crops and livestock. A form of “coexistence” particularly interesting for the decarbonization of our energy system, but also for the sustainability of the agricultural system.

DELIVERY MODEL

It is a model in which the production of electricity, soil and vegetation maintenance are integrated and competing to achieve the productive, economic and environmental objectives of the land.
 
Legambiente and Coldiretti are actively engaged in this delivery model, pushing to activate specific procedures and agri-environmental planning, in order to:

1. implement guidelines for the authorization of plants from renewable sources;
2. establish new rules capable of protecting the landscape, soil and biodiversity.

BIODIVERSITY

Biodiversity has been defined as the variability of all living organisms included in aquatic, terrestrial and marine ecosystems and in the ecological complexes of which they are part.

The interactions between living organisms and the physical environment give rise to functional relationships that characterise the different ecosystems,ensuring they are maintained in a good state of conservation and the provision of so-called ecosystem services.

Biodiversity is increasingly threatened by increasing construction, soil sealing and intensive agriculture. All these factors subtract sources of nutrition and living spaces from pollinating insects (or pronubi). Bees, hornets and other pollinating insects are however indispensable for the harvest.

Valuable contribution of photovoltaic parks

Photovoltaics often end up under accusation for land consumption:large expanses of panels on the ground suggest a possible conflict with agricultural activities and possible interference with the life of different animal and plant species.

On the contrary, photovoltaic parks are a “victory” for biodiversity. In fact, from the perceived data from 75 photovoltaic installations in nine German states, a “positive effect on biodiversity emerged, because they not only protect the climate through the generation of renewable electricity but also improve the conservation of the territory, increasing biodiversity compared to the surrounding landscape”.

Through the targeted cultivation of plants for pollinating insects with staggered flowering and particularly rich in pollen and nectar, the agri-voltaic provides a valuable contribution to the fight against the death of insects.

SIMPLIFICATIONE DECREE

Since 1 June 2021, Decree-Law no. 77 of 31 May 2021 has been in force: Governance of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and first measures to strengthen administrative
structures and accelerate and streamline procedures, the so-called “Simplification Decree-Law”, published in the Official Gazette no. 129 of 31 May 2021.

Here you can consult the guides on EIA (environmental impact assessment) and renewables.