RWE Breaks Ground on First Commercial-Scale Agri-PV Projects in Italy to Boost Renewable Energy and Agriculture
RWE has officially begun construction on its first commercial-scale Agri-PV plants in the Campania region of Italy. Located in the province of Benevento, the Morcone and Acquafredda projects will have capacities of 9.8 MWac and 9.3 MWac, respectively, featuring over 32,500 solar modules in total. These advanced Agri-PV plants are projected to generate enough renewable energy to power more than 13,000 households in Italy, with plans to commission them by the end of 2025. Both projects were selected through Italy’s recent Recovery and Resilience Plan auction.
The Agri-PV systems will employ elevated tracker structures that position the solar panels three meters above the ground, utilizing a movable axis. This innovative design not only enhances the energy yield of the panels but also allows for crops to be cultivated beneath, creating an integrated energy-agriculture solution. This approach optimizes land use while providing agricultural benefits, such as protection for crops against extreme weather conditions like hail, frost, drought, and heavy rainfall. RWE will continuously monitor the performance of these advanced systems and gather meteorological and agricultural yield data to enhance technology and productivity.
Katja Wünschel, CEO of RWE Renewables Europe & Australia, expressed enthusiasm about the project’s significance, stating, “The commencement of construction marks a major milestone for our Agri-PV projects. Italy, with its abundant sunlight, is an ideal location for this technology. Agri-PV enables us to utilize land efficiently, generating both agricultural and renewable energy outputs—truly a sustainable, win-win solution.”
RWE is committed to strengthening its presence in the Italian renewable energy sector, having already established a solid foundation with numerous wind and solar projects. The company follows an integrated approach to project development, overseeing everything from construction to operation. Currently, RWE operates 16 onshore wind farms in Italy, which provide around 527 MW of capacity, supplying green electricity to approximately 450,000 households annually. Additionally, RWE is advancing the development of the 53 MW Mondonuovo wind farm in the Apulia region and is in the commissioning phase of its 8.3 MWac Bosco solar plant near Palermo.
RWE is at the forefront of the transition to clean energy. With its investment and growth strategy, “Growing Green,” RWE is making significant contributions to the energy transition and the decarbonization of the energy system. The company employs approximately 20,000 staff across nearly 30 countries worldwide and is recognized as a leader in renewable energy. RWE is investing billions of euros to expand its generation portfolio, particularly in offshore and onshore wind, solar energy, and batteries, complemented by its global energy trading operations. The company is committed to decarbonizing its operations in line with the 1.5-degree reduction pathway and plans to phase out coal by 2030, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2040, fully aligned with its mission—Our energy for a sustainable life.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/rwe-launches-first-commercial-scale-agri-pv-projects-in-italy-to-enhance-renewable-energy-and-agriculture/
