“Winesolar:” Vineyard taps PV for clean power – and better grapes

Spanish utility Iberdrola has commissioned Spain’s first smart agrivoltaic plant at vineyards in the city of Toledo.

Installed at the González Byass and Grupo Emperador vineyards located in the town of Guadamur, Toledo, power from the 40kW “Winesolar” agrovoltaic plant will be used entirely by the wineries.

However, in addition to providing power to the wineries, the solar panels have been installed in such a way as to provide even greater value.

Better grapes through AI

The layout of the solar modules has been specifically adapted to the needs of the vineyard. In addition to providing power, the panels will also help to regulate the shade and temperature of the vines. This is expected to improve the quality of the grapes by protecting the vines.

The solar panels are installed on trackers which will be controlled by an artificial intelligence algorithm designed to determine the optimal position of the panels.

Sensors placed in the vineyard measure solar radiation, soil humidity, wind conditions, and even the thickness of the vine trunk. The degree of inclination for the solar panels will be determined by the data gathered from these sensors.

The many benefits of agrivoltaics

In addition to improving the quality of the grapes, the agrovoltaic system is also expected to provide a more efficient use of land, reduce the consumption of irrigation water, and improve the crop’s resistance to climatic conditions.

Iberdrola hopes that the Winesolar project will provide yet another example of the “positive coexistence of renewable generation with the rural world and the primary sector thanks to agrovoltaic energy”.