Iqony Solar Energy Solutions (SENS) has begun construction of a 135MW agri-PV project in Sicily.
The construction activity follows the signing of a contract with Peridot Solar, a subsidiary of FitzWalter Capital and investor in the solar project.
The agri-PV project, covering an area of 230 hectares, will go into operation before the end of this year.
It is the first of seven planned ground-mounted agri-PV farms in Sicily, which together will have an output of around 700MW.
The area, the projects are being built on, will be used both for energy production and for agriculture.
In addition to the solar farm, olive and fig trees will be planted on the area next to the solar panels, and beehives will be set up, which will bring many (agricultural) economic advantages for the region.
SENS Italia, the state-owned subsidiary of SENS, is acting as a project developer, EPC partner and O&M service provider.
After completion of the construction phase and the commissioning of the solar park, SENS Italia will take over the O&M services and also the agricultural-related activity, including cultivation and harvesting around the facility.
SENS began planning and developing the large-scale Italian project in 2019 in cooperation with long-term partner Sicilia e Progresso (S&P).
Agri-PV plants can be a solution to limited space, such as on Sicily.
Furthermore, artificial shading from the installed solar modules reduces evaporation on the area, thereby reducing water consumption when cultivating plants or crops.