Agri-PV is neither an appendage of the PV industry nor a marginal topic of agriculture, but rather a hybrid and at the same time new form of industry that integrates both and aligns them towards a common goal: sustainable, resilient production with double added value.
Agri-PV: not a new option for circumventing laws
A common misconception - including among authorities - is that Agri-PV is a pretext for legitimising PV projects on agricultural land. To clearly contradict this impression, consistent communication and positioning is required: the agronomic concept is at the centre of every project. The PV component is a financing support structure and a solution to make agriculture more sustainable and resilient, not an end in itself.
Maximising the benefits of agri-PV
New project approach: planning starts with agriculture
In future, CCE will pursue a strategic change of perspective: projects will begin with a clear agronomic objective - such as the cultivation of olives to produce high-quality organic oils - and only then will PV be integrated. The PV system adapts to the conditions of the agricultural project, not the other way around.
CCE
As in the project in Santa Lucia (Lazio region), for example: Here, an existing PV project was converted into an Agri-PV model, producing high-quality olives. The PV system secures financing and allows a more sustainable and efficient crop management, while agricultural production focuses on quality rather than quantity. The first marketable results are expected from 2026.
Marius Sinn of Next2Sun: “We achieve additional yields of up to ten percent”
Structural implementation: new companies with an agronomic focus
CCE Italia will establish a separate company in 2025 that is fully dedicated to the development and realisation of Agri-PV projects. This is not just about electricity production, but also about agricultural product lines with high market quality. Each project company will have its own structure with agricultural management, monitoring systems and an expanded business model: in addition to selling energy, the agricultural products will also be marketed.
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Use of technology: precision and control
The projects rely on the most advanced technologies: sensor technology for yield and quality monitoring, precision farming, software-supported control of water consumption, complete measurement of the carbon footprint, and resource efficiency. The aim is a fully documented and certified production process.
Scaling and market integration
The Agri-PV concept will be rolled out across Europe in the coming years. CCE's membership of the Italian Association for Sustainable Agrivoltaics (AIAS) ensures a connection to key stakeholders - both on the agricultural side and in the energy sector – and gives us the opportunity to shape a new perspective and foster a paradigm change in the discussion about Agri-PV. A new job title has already been created within AIAS: agrivoltore - an agricultural entrepreneur who is also an energy producer.
How Agri-PV supports regenerative and sustainable agriculture
Outlook: Quality instead of quantity, resilience instead of volume
Agri-PV offers the opportunity to produce agricultural products with high added value and measurable environmental benefits - using clean energy and intelligent control. The results are products with a guaranteed origin, demonstrably resource-efficient production and high quality. Agri-PV therefore not only offers a new economic perspective for agriculture but also makes a concrete contribution to ecological transformation. (Sandro Esposito/hcn)
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