Roof-top and Warehouse Solar: A Practical, Agri-Friendly Solution?
Commission ordered to propose directive safeguarding workers from ionizing radiation hazards.
Critics of ground-based solar panel installations abound––the latest hotspot being Mondovì, where Mayor Luca Robaldo expressed his disapproval during a City Council meeting, deeming them a blight to landscape and agriculture. But, could the game-changer be installations on rooftops and warehouses?
Inviting all municipalities, Robaldo, also the President of the Province, has convened a Provincial Council meeting scheduled for March 14, 3 pm, in Cuneo. The aim: a debate to discuss the installation of photovoltaic and agrivoltaic plants within the Granda region.
Open House for All
The Province, as the competent authority for single authorization regimes, has approved authorizations for 35 plants totaling 52,780.24 kWe (kilowatt of electricity) and occupying 129.02 hectares. Nine more plants are still under review, with 16,470 kWe and a potential land use of 49.41 hectares.
The discussion, beyond administrators, will include business associations, agricultural confederations, and sector technicians. Besides administrators, these subjects will contribute to painting a comprehensive picture of the situation and initiate a diverse, wide-ranging debate.
Spreading Solar Savvy
Large photovoltaic parks have proliferated in the province, with multiple towns falling under their shadow. The governing bodies in Ceva exhibit an ongoing dispute over agreeing to a mega-park, while their counterparts in other municipalities seem to face an influx of installation communications.
However, others contend that the land previously appropriated for solar installations would have been vacant otherwise. For instance, advocate John Aimo, a hot air balloon lover and Italia Nostra member, points out a potential "photovoltaic panel paradise" in the decommissioned Mondovì railway station.
To Roof or Not to Roof?
Acqua San Bernardo, a prominent company, prefers placing its solar panels on warehouses, such as in Ormea, where they installed 1,652 modules, totaling 999.460 kW. This energy output should cover 100% of their plant's energy needs, resulting in a substantial reduction of CO2 emissions and a positive impact on both the environment and employees. They anticipate the project to go live by May 10.
As the Provincial Council meeting looms, it seems that collaboration between various stakeholders will be key to finding a sustainable, agri-friendly solution to the region's energy needs.
- The debate on the installation of photovoltaic and agrivoltaic plants within the Granda region is not only limited to administrators, but also includes business associations, agricultural confederations, and sector technicians.
- The municipalities are invited to a Provincial Council meeting, presided over by Mayor Luca Robaldo, to discuss the potential of rooftop and warehouse solar installations as a sustainable, agriculture-friendly solution.
- In the renewable-energy industry, science plays a fundamental role in the development of agrivoltaic systems, which combine solar panels with cultivation, helping municipalities to make informed decisions regarding energy and environmental science.
- The finance sector can also contribute to the expansion of agrivoltaic systems, as investments in renewable energy can lead to significant economic benefits for municipalities, businesses, and the environment.
- Critics of ground-based solar panel installations in Mondovì argue they are a blight to the landscape and agriculture, but others propose decommissioned locations, such as the Mondovì railway station, could serve as a "photovoltaic panel paradise."
- Companies like Acqua San Bernardo are leading the way in agrivoltaics, by placing their solar panels on warehouses, reducing CO2 emissions, and positively impacting the environment and their employees, showcasing the potential and benefits of the agrivoltaic business model.
