The Montelupone hydroelectric power plant

The hybrid solution developed at Montelupone is an innovative and sustainable example of the integration of hydropower and solar energy. The installation of photovoltaic shelters over the consortium channel not only enables the combined production of clean energy from two renewable sources, but also offers a number of environmental and functional advantages. First and foremost, the solar panels do not require new land, seeing as they use an already man-made area, thus reducing the consumption of agricultural or natural land. Furthermore, the photovoltaic cover helps secure the channel itself, protecting it from accidental falls by people or animals. The impact on the landscape is minimal, as the infrastructure overlaps a pre-existing man-made structure, while the effect on the ecosystem is contained due to the presence of grates that filter the water entering the hydroelectric plant. An additional benefit is the reduction of water evaporation, aided by the shade provided by the panels. This is a strategic expedient that protects water availability for energy production and irrigation, proving particularly valuable in a context of increasingly frequent climate change and drought.

In addition to the photovoltaic system, which was built in collaboration with local institutions, a charging station for electric bicycles, powered by energy produced entirely from renewable sources, has also been installed at San Firmano. It’s also in the municipality of Montelupone and is the site of a thousand-year-old Byzantine-Romanesque abbey. This is a concrete gesture in terms of attention to the local area and the communities living in the places where we operate. The charging station may be small, but it has great significance as it promotes electric mobility, enhances slow and sustainable tourism, and makes a tangible contribution to the energy transition.

The San Firmano charging station therefore isn’t just infrastructure: it’s a symbol of a shared approach to sustainable development, based on collaboration, listening and synergy with local government. When the public and private sectors work together, the benefits multiply: for the environment, for the social fabric and for the local economy.