Microclimate effects and synergies of elevated agrivoltaic systems in an ecological vineyard: a case study in Almería, Southern Spain

Abstract

Viticulture is a sector heavily affected by the negative effects of climate change. In Andalusia, the consequences of prolonged droughts and intense heat waves are visible in many vineyards of the wine-making region located in the “Alpujarra” area in the province of Almería. Sunburn, earlier ripening, and declining trends in grape and wine yield are among the factors that farmers need to urgently combat. Agrivoltaic systems are a promising solution: they can contribute to mitigating the effects of extreme temperature values, reduce the evapotranspiration of the soil, and protect the vines during hailstorms. This study presents the results of the first year of operation of an elevated agrivoltaic system installed in an ecological vineyard owned by Cortijo El Cura – Ecobodega in Laujar de Andarax. Positive effects of the system on the microclimate have been observed: lower temperature, about 0.5 ºC, during daytime, and higher temperature, about 0.6 ºC, during nighttime, below the panels compared to a control area. Regarding crops, the results of the first harvest showed a slightly higher yield (2%) of the vines located within the agrivoltaic installation. In addition to the positive impacts on the agricultural side, the installation has contributed to reducing by about 60% the dependence on the grid of the winery. The pilot installation demonstrated to the farmer that agrivoltaics not only allows producing energy while protecting the plants, but that it can also enhance the yield and productivity of the area.