Agrisolar, incentives and sustainability: Profitability analysis of a photovoltaic system integrated with a storage system

Energy development based on renewable sources is capable of supporting the decarbonization process and must take place compatibly with other needs such as those related to food uses. In this direction, the installation of photovoltaic (PV) systems over farm structures without taking land away from agriculture, contained in the Agrisolar Park Legislative Decree, represents an opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote competitive models. This paper evaluates the profitability of two different technology options: i) a PV system alone and ii) an integrated PV and battery energy storage (BES) system. The analyses confirm that the percentage of self-consumption significantly increases the profitability of these systems, particularly when market scenarios with high prices are present. Similarly, the initial capital incentive can bring important economic benefits and thus is a policy measure that can enable the development of renewable installations in the agricultural sector. In addition, the results show that the use of BES does not always lead to increases in profitability and therefore individual case studies need to be evaluated by examining the potential increase in self-consumed energy that could be achieved. Such solutions can fit into the broader model of sustainable communities by fostering a farm's green image.