RWE has started the construction of its first commercial scale agri-solar farm projects, both in Italy.
The 9.8MW Morcone and 9.3MW Acquafredda projects are located in the province of Benevento in the Campania region.
More than 32,500 solar modules will be installed across both sites and commissioning is scheduled for the end of the year.
Both projects were successful in the recent Italian Recovery and Resilience Plan auction.
The two agri-solar projects will consist of modules elevated on a three-metre high tracker structure with a movable axis.
This will increase the energy yield of the solar systems while crops will be harvested below the panels increasing agricultural production while optimising land use.
The panels provide protection against hail, frost, drought and heavy rain.
To help improve the technology the performance of the two systems and meteorological and agricultural yield, data will be monitored by RWE.
Katja Wunschel, CEO RWE Renewables Europe & Australia, said: “The start of construction marks the realisation of our world-first Agri-PV projects on a commercial scale, with more to come.
“Sunny Italy is also a perfect market for this technology.
“Advanced Agri-PV helps us to use the scarce resource of land responsibly and efficiently, generating two different yields – agriculture and renewable energy – from the same land.
“Win-win at its best.”