There are many different definitions of agrivoltaics, just as there are many ways to develop renewable energy projects.
What sets Limes Renewable Energy apart is our approach to addressing the challenges and parameters that define a well-designed and reliable energy project throughout its entire lifecycle. At Limes, from our various offices around the world, we draw every day on a wealth of expertise that continues to grow, far beyond the few years of existence of a startup that has already established itself as a trusted player in the industry.
The first key parameter we associate with agrivoltaics is the “proximity” of institutions and stakeholders involved in a renewable energy project. This is even more relevant in a project that, to be truly coherent, must embody the integration and coexistence of two worlds: that of renewable energy and that of agricultural production, which is, by definition, rooted in the land. Therefore, the union of these two worlds should generate a value greater than the simple sum of its parts.
It is worth recalling the benefits of this type of project: for the agricultural sector, it means greater resources, access to a clean energy source, and additional revenue that can also be reinvested in its core business. But if the starting point for those developing and investing in photovoltaic plants is a higher degree of social and local acceptance, the natural outcome is the integration of production cycles and the development of new production models.
There are many arguments in favour of this solution. According to some studies, by converting less than 1% of Italy’s agricultural land to agrivoltaics, we could achieve the 2030 targets without compromising agricultural production in any way.
Agrivoltaics is not—and should not be—just about installing slightly taller panels; rather, it represents an approach driven by development and innovation through best practices. For example, it involves selecting compatible crops, designing optimal light and shade interactions, and improving resource management, such as water usage. Additionally, by employing single-axis tracking systems, technology can be adapted to specific sites, with design choices tailored to the type of crop.
At Limes, we like to talk about a "design ecosystem", meaning solutions that amplify value by integrating multiple aspects, such as permitting, design, maintenance, and environmental sustainability. We achieve this by working in synergistic cooperation with landowners, agricultural entrepreneurs, agronomists, and specialized consulting firms, such as SEA, a spin-off of the University of Tuscia, which was involved in preparing the national guidelines and oversees the agronomic planning of all our plants.
Finally, we believe in being ambitious and going beyond simplistic and obvious solutions, for example, by respecting local traditions or even facilitating their revival. Agrivoltaics can also serve as a driver of development, encouraging greater competitiveness in existing crops or making abandoned agricultural production profitable again.
In conclusion, when Limes works on agrivoltaics projects, we are inspired by the words of an English farmer we met in the field. He told us: "It’s not about producing 10 units of energy or 10 units of food. It could even be six units of both. But we might suddenly discover that the two halves are actually greater than the total."