Reading the title, you have most certainly wondered how solar panels could save spanish viticulture and yet it may well be the case. To give you an idea, sugar levels and degrees in the vines increase between 0,14 to 0,17 ° C every year.
At the base, a promising experience
Since 2009, the Montpellier company SunR in collaboration with the National Institute of Agronomic Research (INRA) is experimenting with the installation of photovoltaic panels in the vineyards. The objective of this experience is to solve two problems at the same time:
- Find large areas to install solar panels
- Help viticulture to produce better quality wine
Shade the vines to reduce the alcoholic strength of the wine
An incredible device has been installed in the vineyards of INRA and the National Institute for Research in Science and Technology for the Environment and’
The first structure guarantees lending ground shading of 60 % - full density - and the second was reduced to 30 % - semi-density -. Full density has not proven effective. Quite the contrary, it is even a drop in agricultural yield that has been observed. Semi-density, however, has shown positive signs for the future. The shade is sufficient for the vines to benefit from the sun without abusing it and partly limiting water stress. In viticulture, this lack of water is sought to stimulate the vines, but must remain under control.
This positive result motivated the researchers to go further by carrying out new tests.
Agriculture in flux
Far from a simple compromise, it is a real symbiosis that is established between the vine and the solar panels. There is no question of simply seeking to produce more and more electricity, but to give the vines enough shade to improve production compared to traditional viticulture. Vitivoltaism appears as a real break in the conflict that could often appear between using land for agriculture or installing solar panels.
More quantities, more quality
To achieve a real impact on production, a system has been developed to allow the panels to tilt more or less has been developed according to the needs of the vine. At the origin of the project, this algorithm was not planned and it is in 2014 that a new structure has been installed to test this evolution. The panels can thus follow the course of the sun like sunflowers or be oriented according to the needs of the vine to optimize light and regulate heat.
This regulatory capacity automatically improves production compared to crops growing in full sun both qualitatively and quantitatively.. The company's next goal is to equip the retractable netting system to protect crops from hail. Such an innovation should allow winegrowers to suffer less from the vagaries of nature and therefore have a more stable yield over time., guarantee of a better price for consumers.
A world first in the vineyards of Tresserre
Between tests and reality, there is only one step. Sun’R has indeed announced that this innovation will soon be able to be tested in real conditions.. The Nidolères estate in Tresserre - Languedoc-Roussillon - in the Pyrénées-Orientales will soon implement this system on 4 hectares and should produce 2,12 MW. If the result is conclusive, it could then be applied to a large number of farms. There are hundreds of thousands of hectares in France, which could represent several Gigas Watts of green energy - 2.21 Gigowatts Marty ! — . Enough to bring back a smile to wine growers and produce renewable energy at the same time.
Jean-Nicolas Mouretin
Read also :
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- An effective algae against vine diseases
- Wine : drones could save viticulture and vines
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