**3. The "Agri-natural-voltaic" technology (ANaV)**

Considering the analysis of the different projects for the photovoltaic system [2], presented above, the ANaV project is compared to other projects with the same technology but with different uses of the soil (called Scenarios).

The comparison is carried out through a comparative table (**Table 2**) to better understand the characteristics of the different photovoltaic projects, which shows the best environmental sustainability of the innovation of the ANaV project.

Preliminary environmental assessments have consequently led to optimize the ANaV photovoltaic technology, which is the most performing, in relation with the reference geographic context (flatlands in the municipality of Cerignola, Foggia Province in Puglia Region – Italy).

The geographic location and the characteristics of the ANaV project are represented in the following images (**Figures 2** and **3**).

The ANaV Project allows a suitable realization of the initiative in the environmental context, safeguarding agricultural production and, simultaneously, positively influencing the botanic, vegetational, and wildlife contexts of the area.

The visual characteristics of the ANaV project are represented in the following representations (**Figure 4**) [3].

<sup>1</sup> Complete title: *Progetto per la realizzazione dell'impianto (ANaV) per la produzione di energia elettrica da fonte solare della potenza complessiva di 99,42 MW, sito nel comune di Cerignola, località "San Giovanni in Fonte" e relative opere di connessione nei comuni di Stornarella, Orta e Stornara (FG) Italia*.


*From Photovoltaic to Agri-Natural-Voltaic (ANaV) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.107063*


**Table 1**

Dual-axis tracker on an

elevated structure

*Comparison between different types of photovoltaic projects.*

#### **Figure 1.**

*Conceptual table: environmental feasibility and its relation with the environmental assessment.*

The ANaV project is made up of modules on "single-axis trackers" for a total capacity of 99.42MWp, suitably elevated from the ground and positioned in such a way as to be best suited to agricultural activity on the same ground surface. (**Figure 5**).

The photovoltaic modules (double-sided with nominal unit power of 605 Wp) are 1.3 2.2 m in size, and 4 cm thick. They are in pairs, mounted horizontally with respect to the main axis of the tracker. Twenty-eight modules will be mounted on each single-axis tracker.

The special structure of photovoltaic panels planned for the ANaV system allows high flexibility in agricultural interventions both for machine accessibility and for the selection of crops and cultivation methods (**Figure 6**).

The panel height from the ground ensures the proper airing in the underlying area, favoring the normal growth of herbaceous vegetation and, contemporarily, preserving the normal indigenous microbial activity of the soil; also, rainwater can flow below without interfering with the normal underground drainage and storage.

In addition, the position of panels in parallel, equidistant rows, enables a rational organization of cultivations and rotations and/or cultivation changes.

The cultivations envisaged by the ANaV project [4] produce a high remuneration per hectare in front of high demands for labor. Their nature of root crops requires






#### **Table 2**

*Comparative table to understand the characteristics of different photovoltaic projects, in green the ANaV project.*

cultivation in rows, that are well suited to the belt structure of the ANaV system. Similarly, the reduced height gain makes it possible to position some rows also in the area occasionally shaded by the tilting photovoltaic panels. Moreover, they do not require bulky machines that could damage the panels.

The agricultural cultivations envisaged by the ANaV project are economically effective in the agro-food district of Cerignola, with a supply chain of propagating material (plants), cold storage, processing rooms, and transport systems.

Crops have been positioned by dividing the full land into four macro-areas, based on the internal roads that actually allow the maneuvering of agricultural vehicles (internal roads are 10 m wide, so maneuvering is easy) [5].

Each macro-area is characterized by cultivation continuity (Artichoke, Asparagus, Cereals/Legumes), with the introduction of a belt of melliferous plants every 8 rows.

The belts cultivated with melliferous plants can also be crossed by vehicles since the species selected to give the ground strong stability and have good crushing resistance. For example, during the hand harvesting of the artichoke or the asparagus on these belts, trainers can be used for carrying the produce (**Figure 7**).

**Figure 2.** *Geographic position of Cerignola site of the ANaV project.*

Considering the planned rotations, at the end of a profitable life of multiannual crops (artichoke and asparagus)—expected to be 5 years—the surface for artichoke cultivations will increase up to 60 hectares total (**Figure 8**).

The surface increase for artichokes rather than cereals/legumes also leads to a high increase in the profitability of the ANaV system thanks to the high remuneration of this horticultural production.

It is emphasized that the high innovation engendered by the ANaV system is due to the maximization of the cultivable surfaces in the installation area.

In fact, the fenced area of the ANaV system, corresponding to 141.28 hectares, is divided as follows:


**Figure 3.** *Detail of the site of the ANaV project.*

**Figure 4.** *Reconstructions of the ANaV environment.*


Therefore, excluding the unproductive parts represented by roads, water storage tanks and different annexes, only 7.6% of the surface cannot be used directly for agricultural cultivations. However, it must be recalled that the hives are located on this area.

**Figure 5.** *Plan view of the ANaV project.*

## **4. Conclusions**

The ANaV project is made up of modules on "single-axis trackers" for a total capacity of 99.42MWp. The project has a usable agricultural area of 124.28 ha (89.32%) including the sub-panel belts and the green natural belts. Only 7.6% of the surface cannot be used directly for agricultural cultivations.

The ANaV project is an example of environmental "innovation" that shows it is possible to reconcile agricultural production, the increase of naturality, and photovoltaic power production in a sensitive geographic context. The Project allows a suitable realization of the initiative in the environmental context, safeguarding agricultural production and, simultaneously, positively influencing the botanic, vegetational, and wildlife contexts of the area.

**Figure 6.** *Design dimensions for the ANaV system.*

**Figure 7.** *Plan view of the crop layout in year 0.*

#### **Figure 8.** *Plan view of the crop layout in year 5.*
