Italy

Agri-PV enables the integrated use of agricultural land, such as for growing cereals or livestock farming, and for generating renewable energy through photovoltaic systems. This principle of integration makes a direct contribution to land efficiency, climate protection, and supply security – both in terms of electricity and in providing fruits, vegetables, cereals, and meat.

The future of Agri-PV: quality over quantity

The future of Agri-PV lies in an integrated, agronomically researched approach: Systems must be tailored to the agricultural product, not the other way around. New technologies such as transparent PV modules will in the future ensure that plants receive sufficient light – similar to the greenhouse effect. This will create new niches for organic and high-quality agriculture in the long term, which will clearly differentiate from the mass market.

Direct benefits for farmers

Agri-PV is not only an ecological but also an economic model for the future for farmers:
Without financial risk, it enables significant additional income through electricity feed-in or leasing the land to an IPP (independent power producer). Self-consumption of solar power also provides a financial advantage.
Due to the expected decrease in agricultural land availability due to climate change, Agri-PV ensures land use and improves soil quality, which positively impacts yields (better moisture retention, improved weather protection).

Agriculture has always been a weather-dependent industry. The financial risk for farmers due to crop failures and increasing weather phenomena such as heavy rains, extreme heatwaves, or late frosts can be significantly reduced by having an additional weather-independent source of income.

The war in the “breadbasket of Europe,” Ukraine, has made the dependence on foreign imports evident to a broader population, especially in the grain sector. Many European countries are currently striving for more autonomy in both energy generation and basic food production, aiming to increase domestic production. A widespread expansion of Agri-PV would facilitate this independence.

Current situation in Italy: need for more flexibility

Italy is the country with the most PV power plants under the CCE-Holding. Agri-PV is becoming increasingly important here: The geographical location favors the country with many hours of sunshine (approximately 2117 per year[1]), and agriculture holds a high value in the population.

However, the construction of Agri-PV systems is currently hindered by numerous regulations and strict technical requirements (e.g., fixed module heights). These obstacles prevent Agri-PV from realizing its full potential as a new agricultural model where the PV component serves the agricultural production. For the future, a flexible regulatory framework is needed, which aligns with the requirements of the crops. It is not productive to assume that plants will adapt to the modules. Furthermore, close collaboration between agriculture, technology, and authorities is necessary to enable customized solutions.

The role of CCE: Combining innovation with practicality

The CCE-Holding is committed to paving the way and implementing a new, intelligent agricultural energy future, primarily in Italy at present. As a project developer, investor, and IPP, the CCE-Holding combines technological expertise in the PV sector with agricultural understanding and the ability to develop tailored solutions together with farmers.
The CCE-Holding stands for an integrative approach that not only provides electricity but also promotes healthy nutrition, sustainable land use, and long-term value creation for rural areas.

Agri-PV goes beyond just farming or livestock with solar panels

Agri-PV will not only transform the energy and agriculture sectors but also strengthen the role of farmers. With partners like CCE-Holding, which intelligently combines technology and agronomy, a new model for sustainable prosperity and supply security is emerging. The future begins in the field – aiming to establish synergy rather than threatening competition between energy and food production.

[1] Source: Climate Comparison: Germany / Italy