From Research to Industrial Agrovoltaico® Facility

Design for Open Field Tomato Cultivation

Abstract

REM Tec has operated an agrivoltaics (AV) experimental site in Borgo Virgilio, Northern Italy since 2011. The site is dedicated  to research on crop performance under varying shading conditions. The implemented AV system consists of a first-generation biaxial tracker with a ground coverage ratio (GCR) of 14%. To support the monitoring and development of the modules the system was later expanded to achieve a GCR of 41%. The site is used for the cultivation and study of various crops, such as grapes, potatoes, cabbage… Given the strategic importance of tomato production in Italy, REM Tec conducted a multiyear study to evaluate the effects of shading on crop growth. The experiment was carried out between 2020 and 2024 under different shading conditions corresponding to ground coverage ratios of 0%, 14% and 41%. During 2022, the University of Piacenza assessed the collected data however during 2024, REM Tec established a cooperation with the “Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche” (CNR) to support further data collection and analysis. The research primary focused on the following questions : How does shading affect tomato growth and development? What are the effects of applying anti-tracking (shading management) during critical phenological stages such as flowering ? The results indicate that tomatoes adapt  to AV systems particularly when anti-tracking strategies are implemented. In terms of quantity the average yield per plant is higher under shaded conditions when anti-tracking was applied during critical phenological stages. In addition, the brix index is higher under AV systems indicating improved tomato quality. These results have drawn the attention of a tomato producer in Italy who is interested in adopting REM Tec’s biaxial tracker technology, within a 1 MWp AV facility. The electricity generated by the system will be used to power a tomato processing factory located near the cultivated land.