Grapes grown under solar panels ripen more slowly and have better quality, resulting in delicious wine bottles.
In the town of Laterza, Taranto Province (Italy), the winery La Svolta has implemented a solar energy system in the vineyards to produce high-quality wine while utilizing clean energy. This marks a significant turning point for sustainable agriculture.
The photovoltaic panels are installed over the vineyards, which slows down the ripening process of the grapes, extending the harvest period by an additional four weeks compared to vineyards without solar panels. The quality of the wine is not only maintained but is also enhanced. The photovoltaic panels provide shade, helping to regulate the temperature around the vines and protect them from harsh weather conditions. This is a critical solution in the context of climate change.
La Svolta primarily cultivates two grape varieties: Primitivo, a red grape variety characteristic of Southern Italy, and Goldtraminer, a fragrant white grape commonly grown in the cool highlands of Trentino.
La Svolta vineyard. (Photo: Vinetur).
The Goldtraminer grape is not suited for warm climates. The photovoltaic panels help maintain cooler temperatures underneath, protecting the vines from direct sunlight, thereby extending the ripening time and improving quality control.
One advantage of the extended ripening process is the gradual increase in sugar content in the grapes. For both Primitivo and Goldtraminer varieties, the sugar levels have exceeded expectations, promising richer and more complex wines.
La Svolta anticipates that this year’s grape harvest will be especially high quality, with the Goldtraminer variety impressively adapting to warmer climates thanks to being grown under photovoltaic panels.
Not only do the solar panels extend the harvest time, but they also help the vines avoid the summer heat. Research from the University of Verona and Bari indicates that agricultural and photovoltaic systems can reduce water stress on crops by up to 20%, optimizing water usage—an increasingly important factor as droughts become more frequent.
Additionally, grapes grown under these panels tend to grow healthier compared to those fully exposed to sunlight. The partial shading helps regulate temperature and wind speed, contributing to improved yield and fruit quality.
Photovoltaic panels providing shade for grapes. (Photo: Vinetur).
The effectiveness of the agricultural and photovoltaic integration has been proven. In Puglia, La Svolta’s vineyards harvested earlier than usual due to the harsh summer temperatures. Meanwhile, the Agrivoltaic system helps the vines grow more slowly, delaying the harvest and allowing for a better balance of acidity and sugar levels.
By the end of August, Primitivo grapes grown under the solar panels measured 21 degrees Brix, the ideal sugar content for winemaking, while grapes in fully sun-exposed vineyards exceeded 25 degrees Brix, indicating over-ripeness for fermentation.
In addition to Primitivo and Goldtraminer, the combination of photovoltaic systems and grape cultivation has also yielded positive results with the Falanghina variety, a white grape known for its high natural acidity, ideal for producing sparkling wine.
Falanghina grown under solar panels is particularly advantageous for developing sparkling wine using traditional methods, thanks to the cooler conditions and slower ripening created by the panels.
The thin-film photovoltaic system is installed over 3 hectares of land. The panels are angled to optimize solar energy capture and withstand regional winds, with a capacity of 970 kWp.
According to La Svolta, the dual model of solar energy and grape production provides ecological and economic benefits, generating clean energy, reducing carbon emissions, and contributing to sustainable environmental development. This system also boosts agricultural output, delivering clear economic advantages through enhanced quality and yield of the grapes.
