Anagrafe della ricerca

Photovoltaic energy is an important asset for our future because it will contribute to allow us to be energy self-sufficient. This strategic asset, undergoing significant development, is mainly recognized as an energy resource and not as an opportunity to rethink the culture of the landscape. If many investigations are active in the field of the integration of photovoltaic in buildings, in agriculture (agrivoltaic) or in the use of floating systems, the studies on the decommissioning or revamping of photovoltaic fields are at the beginning and scientific literature is not sufficiently advanced. The research is innovative because it fills a lack of knowledge. About 83 millions of modules - 16 GW of production power - will reach the end of life in the period 2029-2032. Because at the moment in Italy 22 GW of production power are installed and that Sustainable Agenda 2030 asks for new 40 GW, the reuse and redesign of existent photovoltaic fields becomes urgent. In addition, the recent emergency in the procurement of raw materials (e.g. wheat and corn) has highlighted the need to rethink the Italian agricultural layout to make it more self-sufficient. The research project intends to promote new knowledge about reuse and redesign - decommissioning and revamping - of photovoltaic fields at the end of life. Reusing and redesign these photovoltaic fields can play an important role in both the construction of a new energy policy and the renovation of the landscape culture. It can be an important driver of growth jobs and economic development of sub-urban and rural areas in which solar fields are located - in particular southern Italian regions. The research intends to identify innovative interpretative methods that through the optimization of the land use can decrease the degraded and unused areas. The research investigates the opportunities offered by reuse and redesign of photovoltaic fields in order to develop new settlement models, which can mend impoverished and fragmented landscapes and offer the partial recovery of agricultural productions. The research increases the awareness that only a new systemic alliance between energy production needs and food production needs can active preserve and enhance the Italian landscape. The research methodology is set to be applied to different contexts since these infrastructures are widespread all over Country. Since photovoltaic fields and reuse and redesign opportunities that they offer are a phenomenon with similar characters in different Regions, the research project fosters the identification of a shared knowledge and the development of an Italian landscape strategy. Due to a creative partnership, the research will contribute in the process of definition and adoption of the best policies and practices (Good Practice Toolkit, D3) addressed to policy makers and practitioners to increase the environmental, social, cultural and economic impact of reuse and redesign of photovoltaic fields.