Enel Green Power has started up an 87MW solar plant in the province of Vercelli, in Italy’s Piedmont region.
The project, in Trino, involved the construction of a photovoltaic plant on site that hosted a combined cycle power plant and, before that, a nuclear power station.
The solar array uses bifacial PV modules to maximize renewable energy generation.
It is integrated with a 25MW lithium ion battery energy storage system (BESS) with a storage capacity of 100MWh, which will ensure proper operation of the electrical system and will provide ancillary services to the grid.
Furthermore, an additional, larger storage system is scheduled for installation at the site in the near future.
Local residents helped fund the solar and battery project through the Scelta Rinnovabile (Renewable Choice) crowdfunding campaign launched by Enel Green Power in 2022.
Thanks to widespread participation, the fundraising target was met and vastly exceeded, with the final amount raised being 150% of the initial target.
Following commissioning, the local residents involved in the initiative will begin to recoup their investment.
The relationship with the local community is a “fundamental aspect” of Enel Green Power’s commitment, which will entail a series of initiatives in the area surrounding the solar farm, such as reforestation and the architectural restoration and renovation of several historic buildings in Borgo Leri-Cavour, which was formerly the summer residence of the Count of Cavour Camillo Benso.