From solar PV to agrivoltaics: what changes in an ongoing project
Many projects start as solar PV and become agrivoltaic. The conversion affects layout, structures, farm plan and permitting: the requirements to keep in mind.
Technologies
Agrivoltaics
Energy and crops on the same land: plants designed around the farming activity, from the first checks to monitoring.
Overview
Producing energy while leaving the land to its work
In an agrivoltaic plant the modules share the land with crops or livestock, which continue under and between the rows. It isn't a solar PV plant with higher modules: it must be designed around what is grown on the land.
Many projects today start as solar PV and are reworked as agrivoltaic, partly because of the limits on ground-mounted modules in agricultural zones. We follow both new projects and these conversions.
The requirements
What makes a plant agrivoltaic
The reference is the ministerial guidelines of 27 June 2022, to be read together with the rules in force.
| Requirement | What it requires |
|---|---|
| A | Agricultural surface at least 70% of the total; module coverage (LAOR) no more than 40% |
| B | Continuity of farming; electricity output no lower than 60% of a standard plant |
| C | Raised modules: from 1.3 m with livestock farming, from 2.1 m with crop farming |
| D | Monitoring of water saving and farming continuity |
| E | Monitoring of soil fertility, microclimate and resilience to climate change |
What changes in the project
Compared with solar PV, almost everything is redesigned
Layout
Wider row spacing for farm machinery, often with less capacity on the same area.
Structures
Different heights and foundations, with effects on costs, shading and visual impact.
Farm plan
Crops or grazing chosen with an agronomist based on soil, water and climate, with a farm operator.
Monitoring
Tools and procedures to measure water saving and farming continuity, included in the design from the outset.
How we step in
At every phase, or only where we're needed
Construction supervision and project management
Coordination of site, schedule, costs and suppliers.
Further reading
Find out more
Solar PV on agricultural land: what changes after ruling 127/2026
The Constitutional Court rejected doubts over the limit on ground-mounted modules in agricultural zones. What remains possible and in what order to check…
What happens after commissioning: environmental monitoring
Environmental monitoring starts before construction and continues while the plant runs. The three phases, what is measured and the mistakes that cost…
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