Green light to the 1 billion Pnrr decree for agrivoltaics:what does the plan for renewable energy without land consumption include

The goal is to install at least 1 GW within three years.Picket Fratin:«In this way we will be able to make agricultural excellence coexist with the production of clean energy»

The government pushes the accelerator on renewables.After theamendment presented in the Senate to speed up the authorization processes, today by the Minister of the Environment Gilberto Pichetto Fratin approved the proposal decree to promote the creation of innovative agrivoltaic systems.The objective, set by the Pnrr, is to install at least 1.04 gigawatts by June 30, 2026.Agrivoltaic means the use of land both to produce electricity - through the installation of solar panels - and to carry out agricultural or livestock activities.«Energy independence is also built by focusing on the agricultural vocation of a large part of our country – commented Pichetto Fratin -.Today the challenge is to make agricultural excellence coexist in the fields with new solutions to generate clean energy, opening up opportunities for growth in the sector in the name of sustainability and attention to the environment".

What is agrivoltaic

Agrivoltaics has long been one of the solutions most supported by experts for the energy transition.One of the criticisms that is most often leveled against solar parks concerns land consumption.A problem that does not arise for agrivoltaics.In fact, this system allows both energy production and land cultivation to coexist on the same land.From an economic point of view, this is a tempting opportunity for agricultural companies, which can count on significant savings on their bills generated precisely by the use of solar panels.But the benefits don't end there.According to experts, in fact, the shade cast by the photovoltaic system allows for greater yield of the land and reduction of water consumption for irrigation.

The government decree

The decree signed today by the Minister of the Environment provides a series of incentives to stimulate the installation of new advanced agrivoltaic systems.In particular, the government plans to recognize a contribution of 40% of the costs of the plant and an incentive tariff on the electricity that is produced and fed into the grid.The document is aimed above all at one interlocutor:agricultural entrepreneurs.While the measure will be financed by the coverage included in the Pnrr, which attributes one billion one hundred million euros to this type of investment.To benefit from the funds allocated by the government, applicants will have to present projects that demonstrate benefits for both energy production and land cultivation.In fact, the decree provides that the plants must guarantee full continuity of agricultural and pastoral activity for the entire lifespan of the plants.