SMART PVwine

Project Title: Advanced PV System and Intelligent Management for Improving Wine Production – SMART PVwine

Source of Funding: Public aid for public-private collaboration projects from the State Program to promote Scientific-Technical Research and its Transfer, within the State Plan for Scientific, Technical and Innovation Research 2021-2023, within the framework of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (Ministry of Science and Innovation)

File ID number: CPP2022-010020

Project Beneficiary: Institute of Concentrated Photovoltaic Systems S.A. (ISFOC)

Project Consortium: Institute of Concentrated Photovoltaic Systems S.A. (ISFOC), Acondicionamiento Tarrasense – LEITAT, AMPER S&C IOT S.L. (Sensing & Control), and the University of Castilla-La Mancha (Higher Technical School of Agricultural Engineers of Ciudad Real).

Project Duration: 2023-2026

Execution Budget: €1,185,468.84

DESCRIPTION: ISFOC leads the SMART PVwine project whose main objective is the development of a novel agrovoltaic (AV) system to promote the generation of photovoltaic solar energy in harmony with agricultural activity and, at the same time, improve agricultural production in Spain's largest wine-producing region, Castilla-La Mancha. This system is based on new photovoltaic modules adapted to manage sunlight through additive manufacturing lenses and spectral management diffusers. Additionally, monitoring sensors are included to optimize the use of the solar resource between electricity generation and agricultural production. The entire system will be adapted to optimal cultivation conditions.

To achieve this goal, the project aims to cover the following specific objectives:

• Develop an innovative agrovoltaic (AV) system with light management to reduce the land-use conflict between photovoltaic (PV) plants and agriculture, demonstrating a new symbiotic and efficient use.

• Promote AV development, with an increase in energy yield (kWh/m2) and vine production, and develop a digital twin to optimize both productions, maximizing land interests and achieving a compromise decision: higher agricultural production accompanied by high energy generation.

• Specific development of 3D printed lenses and diffusing elements in combination with ad hoc semi-transparent PV panels for energy generation and light management over crops (bio-adaptable light) with an innovative solar tracking concept according to crop needs.

• Develop a predictive model for new AV developments in vineyards, as a future decision-making tool.

The SMART PVwine project falls under the call for public aid for public-private collaboration projects, from the State Program to promote Scientific-Technical Research and its Transfer, within the State Plan for Scientific, Technical and Innovation Research 2021-2023, within the framework of the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan. The main objective of this aid is to advance the incorporation of scientific-technical knowledge and results to enable the validation and pre-competitive development of new technologies, products, and services, creating the right context that stimulates the generation of a critical mass in interdisciplinary R&D&I for its application, transfer, solution-seeking, and result generation in both the technological and innovation trajectories of companies and the market.

These projects aim to mobilise private investment, generate employment, and improve the country's technological balance, as well as strengthen the international leadership capacity of the Spanish Science, Technology and Innovation System and its agents, contributing to improving the competitiveness of the business fabric.