The Dresden‑based renewable energy developer VSB has received approval to build an agri‑PV plant in the Italian municipality of Città della Pieve. From mid‑2026, installation teams will begin fitting modules with a total capacity of 6.2 MW across about 10.6 hectares in the Umbria region. The facility is designed to allow agricultural activities to continue largely unhindered.
Combining arable farming with PV
According to VSB, the plant is scheduled to go into operation in 2027. The extended construction period is due to complex grid connection procedures. To prevent unnecessary pressure, the timeline has been deliberately structured to ensure smooth integration and reliable connection to the regional power network. “With this project, we want to demonstrate that renewable energy development does not have to come at the expense of agricultural productivity, but can usefully complement and enrich it,” according to Francesco Rossi, Managing Director of VSB Italy. “Città della Pieve offers a concrete example of how innovative land use can drive both ecological sustainability and rural development.”
Second facility for Abruzzo
VSB received planning consent for a second agri‑PV project in the municipality of Roseto degli Abruzzi at the end of July. Construction is scheduled to begin before year‑end, with commissioning expected in 2026. The site, covering 11.6 hectares in the Abruzzo region, will host a 7.24 MW plant.
NextPower V ESG makes largest agri-PV acquisition in Italy
Sustainable land management
Here too, VSB is combining renewable energy production with sustainable agriculture, reflecting both the ecological and socio‑economic priorities of the region. While the site is primarily intended for power generation, the plant’s design enables crop rotation with alternating cultivation of arable and forage crops. This approach is said to promote sustainable land use while enhancing soil fertility and biodiversity.
EnergyDecentral 2026 – registration now open for exhibitors
The two projects will add to Italy’s installed agri‑PV capacity. Participants at the AgriVoltaics Industry Forum Europe, organised by Conexio on 21–22 October 2025 in Milan, will gain insights into the conditions enabling such projects in Italy and across Europe. (su)
