Is it possible to grow aromatic plants, cardoons and safflowers in a solar power plant in Greece? Sure it is, and with excellent results. Tests conducted between 2021 and the summer of 2022, in collaboration with the Federico II University in Naples and the company Novamont, were a great success, a fact which was underlined when the presentation of the results received an award at the World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion - WCPEC-8 - held this year in Milan from September 26 to 30. “We're extremely proud to have received this award from WCPEC-8 for the work we’ve done at the Kourtesi solar power plant in Greece: on a standard solar power plant, with a height of 2.2-2.5 meters, we’ve managed to cultivate a range of aromatic plant species such as thyme, oregano, rosemary and Greek mountain tea. An excellent example of sustainability and integration with the local territory”, commented Miriam Di Blasi, Head of Environment and Impacts Mitigation - Innovation at Enel Green Power. The presentation, entitled “A Sustainable Agrivoltaic Experience in a Dry Mediterranean Area: Co-Existence of Agricultural Activities in Utility-scale Plants of EGP for Multiple Land Use” outlined the results of the initiative, underscoring how agrivoltaics is able to facilitate partnerships between different stakeholders, creates value for local communities and enables the development of innovative business models.
