Ora (South Tyrol), May 26, 2025
A new chapter in the symbiosis between agriculture and solar energy.
In Ora, in the province of Bolzano, a pioneering agrivoltaic plant has been inaugurated as part of the European Symbiosyst project, funded by the Horizon Europe program, using the new Convert™ Agri-PV v4.0 tracker by Valmont Solar — a next-generation solution designed to enable true coexistence between photovoltaic generation and permanent tree crops.
This site stands out as one of Italy’s most advanced case studies for testing the integration between specialized perennial agriculture and solar energy, with the goal of developing replicable solutions on a European scale.
The plant was conceived to ensure full agronomic operability under the photovoltaic structures and is equipped with advanced monitoring systems that support research into agri-environmental interaction. High technical standards define the installation: elevated modules, integrated sensors, and maximum compatibility with modern farming practices.
A structure designed to coexist
As the technology partner of the project, Valmont Solar supplied the Convert™ Agri-PV v4.0 tracker — a solar tracking system specifically developed to meet the technical and spatial demands of permanent crops such as fruit trees and vineyards, which require significant clearance for both plant development and mechanized operations.
“An agrivoltaic plant requires a completely different design approach,” explains Chiara Tarisciotti, Engineering Manager at Valmont Solar.
“It’s not just about raising the panels higher — every detail must be rethought to ensure real compatibility with permanent agriculture. With the Convert™ Agri-PV v4.0, we developed a system shaped on the field: modular, adaptive, and designed for effective coexistence with long-term crops. Here, symbiosis is tangible.”
The installation covers 3,000 m² of productive apple orchards, trained in Guyot configuration — a linear two-dimensional pruning system ideal for permanent crops. This setup complements the design of linear photovoltaic structures and allows for optimized light distribution and air circulation. Notably, the system also supports the growth of fruit-bearing trees underneath the structure.
The modules are mounted at a clearance of 4.80 meters, making this one of the tallest agrivoltaic tracker systems in Europe. This design ensures full passage of agricultural machinery (up to 3.5 meters in height) and enables all seasonal tasks — from pruning and spraying to thinning and harvesting — to continue uninterrupted.
The site is divided into two experimental zones, where PV modules of varying transparency (from 0% to 30%) are installed above orchards with different row spacing. This configuration allows researchers to study the effects of filtered light and shading on plant development and productivity.
The technical core: Convert™ Agri-PV v4.0 tracker
The structure is made of weathering steel, ensuring long-term durability while improving both Material Circularity Indicator (MCI) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) values by eliminating surface treatments. Its rust-colored finish reduces visual impact, favoring integration into the agricultural landscape.
The system’s structural design was validated in wind tunnel tests by POLIMI (Politecnico di Milano), and — importantly — was tested in real conditions with vegetation already present, confirming its mechanical performance even when installed in active agricultural fields.
The platform is preconfigured for seamless integration with environmental and agronomic sensors, enabling detailed monitoring of key variables such as:
- Solar radiation
- PAR (photosynthetically active radiation)
- Albedo
- Air and soil temperature
- Air and soil humidity
- Wind and rainfall
The data are analyzed by Eurac Research and Laimburg Research Centre to assess effects on vegetative growth, flowering, fruit yield and quality, and water demand — aiming to refine best practices for agrivoltaic system design.
Additional features include the integration of anti-hail nets directly on the tracker structure and a rainwater recovery and reuse system, further supporting the site's resilience to extreme weather and water stress.
Agrivoltaics: building the balance
The Symbiosyst project involves 16 European partners, with another pilot site in Spain currently in development using the Convert™ Agri-PV v2.1 tracker. The Ora site represents the project’s open-field model, focused on demonstrating real integration between permanent tree crops and dynamic solar tracking systems.
“The real goal,” concludes Tarisciotti, “is to build replicable, economically viable, and technically sound models of coexistence. Energy must integrate with the land — not replace it.”
According to a recent European Commission (JRC) study, converting just 1% of the EU’s agricultural land into agrivoltaic systems would be enough to surpass the 2030 solar targets.
In this context, pilot projects like the one in Ora are key to proving that agriculture and energy can grow together — opening new paths for sustainable rural development.
A collective achievement
Among the 16 partners of the Symbiosyst project, coordinated by Eurac Research, EF Solare Italia led the plant construction, with ALEO Solar supplying the modules and Laimburg hosting the installation within its apple orchards.
“We are grateful to everyone who made this possible,” says Tarisciotti.
“From lab to field, from design to commissioning — this project proves what can be achieved when research, industry, and local communities work together with a shared vision.”
Read the full project announcement by all Symbiosyst partners:
https://www.eurac.edu/en/magazine/rows-of-energy
