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The development of RER is closely linked to the growth of photovoltaic. To accelerate the realization of new renewable plants is necessary in order to achieve the decarbonization goals and to increase the independence from critical supplies linked to unstable political scenarios. At the same time, to optimize the performance of existing plants becomes essential in order to increase the production of green energy.

EF Solare, as the lending photovoltaic operator in Italy with plants distributed throughout the country, has decided to focus on revamping and repowering activities. These activities represent effective and strategic solutions to increase the value of existing photovoltaic assets with the same use of land. The Polytechnic of Milan has highlighted the opportunity arising from repowering in Italy. They have estimated that the 10-15% of the  PV target in PNIEC-2030 could be achieve thanks to repowering  saving 120 km².

During 2021, EF Solare has developed a plan for the technological modernization of own photovoltaic plants. The aim is increase the PV performances supporting the achievement of Italian goals. In particular, last year 145 MW of retrofit interventions were carried out, involving modules, inverters, structures, as well as the reconditioning of minor components. During these activities, the effects of under-performance caused by faulty equipments have been revised.

“The retrofit of the plant allows to bring a considerable increase in electricity production. We have selected the improvement activities thanks to the monitoring system that help us in the identification of PV under-performance.” Claudio Alori, Head of Monitoring & Performance at EF Solare.

Thanks to these interventions, the amount of “green” electricity generated by the plants has grown. There was also an increase in CO2 saved, bringing environmental benefits to the areas in which the Group operates. In particular, thanks to the implementation of the first part of interventions, own PV production has increased by 10 GWh/year, which is equivalent to about 4,600 tons/year of CO2 virtually saved or over 200 Ha/year of equivalent reforestation.

The team of EF Solare Engineering Department, led by Alessandro Caffarelli, has engineered the retrofit interventions in synergy with other departments of EF Solare. The activities carried out started first of all from the identification of the problems of the plants (e.g. aging of the system engineering that constitutes the photovoltaic plants, damage …) thanks to the integrated monitoring system and the use of aerial thermography. Then, we moved on to the consequent design and planning of the interventions, always operating in compliance with the technical standards and requirements included in the determinations of the Single Authorization or other authorization titles for the construction and operation of the plant.

“The achievement of national and European targets for energy transition must necessarily be driven by the growth of photovoltaics. To optimize the performance of existing plants is necessary to increase the share of PV electricity. It can make a fundamental contribution to the growth of solar production in our country. The aims are: to improve the value of PV assets; to minimize human impacts; to create environmental and socio-economic benefits for the people.” Alessandro Caffarelli, Head of Engineering at EF Solare.

The decision to focus on revamping and repowering activities is at the core of EF Solare’s strategies.  The teamwork is fundamental in order to do so.  To involve all the Group’s “Operations” departments, led by Gian Luca Teodori, and all the other departments reporting to the CEO is very important.