Solar energy improves wine quality at Italian winery

Photovoltaic project installed in the Puglia region has more than 7,7 solar s
Installation of solar power plant improves wine quality at Italian winery
Photovoltaic system installed at La Svolta Winery. Photo: Vigna Agrivoltaica di Comunità

Producers at the La Svolta winery in the Puglia region of southern Italy have discovered that installing solar s can result in improved quality of the wines they produce in their vineyards. 

By integrating so-called agrovoltaic systems (which produce food and energy in the same area) into their vineyards, they realized that the shade generated by the solar s delays the ripening and harvesting of the grapes by three or four weeks.

Without as much exposure to the sun, the grapes accumulate less sugar, which favors the balance between alcohol content and acidity in the fermentation process. The result is better quality wines without the need for producers to intervene. 

Furthermore, technology has made it possible to grow grape varieties that are not typical of the region, while providing economic and environmental advantages, such as saving water and generating solar energy on the same land where the vines are grown.

In total, the photovoltaic project has 7.770 double-bonded thin-film solar s. Together, they have a combined output power of 970 kW. The solar s are oriented south at an angle of 28 degrees. 

Grape cultivation being carried out in the Italian winery. Photo: Vigna Agrivoltaica di Comunità

What are agrivoltaic systems? 

Agrivoltaic systems are installations that integrate solar energy generation with agricultural activities in the same space. 

These systems use strategically designed photovoltaic structures so that the land beneath or around the s continues to be used for growing food, grazing animals, or other agricultural practices.

O Canal Solar was a pioneer in Brazil in comprehensively addressing this technology, providing complete information on the subject at a time when this type of application was still little known and practically nonexistent in the country. Read the special report that was produced at the time by clicking here

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Photo by Henrique Hein
Henrique Hein
He worked at Correio Popular and Rádio Trianon. He has experience in podcast production, radio programs, interviews and reporting. Has been following the solar sector since 2020.

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