This agreement, destined to have a significant impact on Italian agrivoltaics 4.0, was presented in Rimin at "Key Energy", the innovative international salon dedicated to energy transition towards clean energy sources.
Consorzio Global Fresh Fruit, Vespera Energy and i-Pergola subscribed a Memorandum of Understanding for the promotion and development of innovative and sustainable agrivoltaic systems that can respect existing crops and access sector financing.
As is known, traditional agrivoltaic systems envisage the installation of panels on dedicated over-structures which, however, produce shade making the crops underneath suffer. "Power Shield Tech" is instead an energy infrastructure for precision agriculture developed by i-Pergola, an innovative Italian startup that designs, produces, installs and maintains systems for solar energy production.
"Power Shield Tech" can be installed on all crops - kiwis, pears, apples, citrus fruit, hops, almonds - as well as on all cultivars typical of the Mediterranean basin. Modules are made of eco-friendly materials and comply with all the main sector regulations. "Power Shield Tech" panels are mobile and installed on poles similar to those already present in the fields for the growth of plants or the protection from atmospheric agents, guaranteeing full accessibility to producers and agronomic sustainability.
IoT electronics with the IEPFMS (Intelligent Energy & Precision Farming Management System) software enable an integrated management of pergolas and all precision agriculture systems. The mobile system interfaces with plants adapting to their light or water needs, therefore improving production. In practice, not only is it not necessary to modify the orientation of the crops, but yields also increase.
With the Memorandum of Understanding, Consorzio Global Fresh Fruit - thanks to its decade-long experience when it comes to chain agreements with partners such as Gruppo Barilla - undertakes to promote and spread information as regards these 4.0 agrivoltaic systems. The system was also presented in Ravenna to Confindustria Romagna.
In addition, the consortium will share production specifications undertaking to commercialize the produce grown on on the land where the systems are installed.
Vespera Energy, a leading solar energy company dealing with photovoltaic and agrivoltaic systems in Italy and abroad, will take care of the development, authorizations and setting up of the systems." As a consultant, general contractor and provider of agrivoltaic solutions, i-Pergola will make available all of the know-how necessary for the realization of agrivoltaic systems.
The project constitutes an innovative form of collaboration between actors: in particular, it changes the paradigm within production, as growers become an active part of the solar and agricultural production process.
For further information:
Consorzio Global Fresh Fruit
C.da Citignano Cernera, 63
74016, Massafra (Taranto)
+39 349 666 0478
global.freshfruit@libero.it