Alami Group is a team of professionals with proven experience in architectural and landscape design, as well as energy efficiency. Thanks to these skills, it enters the market with a unique multidisciplinary approach, capable of handling complex projects that require cross-sector expertise. Agrivoltaic projects are a prime example of this characteristic.

For this reason, the team won first prize in the sustainable agrivoltaics competition “Agrivoltaics for Noah’s Ark”, organized by Neorurale Hub, in collaboration with ENEA, Inarch, and supported by MITE, MIPAAF, and the Lombardy Region.

Agrivoltaics is set to become one of the most significant methods for installing renewable energy in the coming years. In fact, in 2022 alone, national Environmental Impact Assessment (VIA) applications for agrivoltaic projects exceeded those for traditional photovoltaic systems, demonstrating the market’s strong interest in this integrated approach to energy production and agriculture.

That said, our approach stands out from competitors precisely because of our focus on the agricultural and landscape components of our projects. The ultimate goal is to develop highly integrated energy production systems, which will give the project a strong market potential.

On September 27, 2022, StudioAlami won first prize for the “Best Agrivoltaic Garden” with its project A-Grid Agrivoltaics and Landscape in the competition “Agrivoltaics for Noah’s Ark – Photovoltaic Rice Landscapes.” This competition, launched in March 2022 by ENEA, NeoruraleHub, the National Institute of Architecture (IN/Arch), ETA Florence Renewable Energies, and the Italian Association of Landscape Architecture (AIAPP), had two main objectives:

Developing an agrivoltaic system with a capacity between 1 MWp and 3 MWp over an area of 8 hectares, integrating with rice cultivation. The project needed to ensure synergy between photovoltaics and rice paddies, optimizing sunlight exposure on crops while allowing the use of agricultural machinery.

Designing the agrivoltaic system as a part of the landscape, considering its spatial and structural relationship with the environment while enhancing local ecosystems and improving site biodiversity.

Upon awarding us the First Prize, the jury stated that they appreciated “the innovative and creative aspect of the project, capable of stimulating the public’s imagination. The project is surprising, bold, and lightweight. Its creative solution perfectly meets the competition’s criteria, successfully combining environmental, recreational/social, and productive aspects. The deep analysis, forward-thinking approach regarding rice cultivation, and shadow study were particularly valued.”

Innovation and Patent Protection
This competition inspired the development of an innovative project, leading us to file for a patent.

The first step was to analyze the current state of agrivoltaic construction systems, identify their limitations, and select a construction type that could overcome them. We chose tensile structures due to their great potential for landscape integration and greater spacing between vertical supports, reducing land occupation.

After selecting the most suitable technology, we highlighted its advantages over traditional systems:

Lightweight materials used in the suspended structure.
Reduced visual impact of the support structure.
Catenary geometries, allowing better landscape integration.
Lower material usage, reducing environmental impact.
Flexible design, adaptable to the project site.
Greater spacing between supports, requiring fewer pillars.
Minimal land occupation, maximizing cultivated area.
Reduced interference with agricultural activities.
Integration with agro-textiles for crop protection.
Compatibility with precision farming technologies.
A Climate-Responsive Approach
The second step was to analyze modern agricultural practices. We found that in the era of climate change, there is widespread use of protective systems against extreme weather (rain, hail, insects, solar radiation, wind, etc.), making agro-textiles a common feature in agricultural landscapes.

This project was designed as a response to the climate crisis. We conducted a climate simulation study to predict conditions over the next 30 years.

At the heart of the system is the tensile cover structure, which enables the implementation of various additional functions. The goal is to mitigate the impact of extreme weather conditions and enable cultivation even in challenging environments.

Patent Development Goals
The patent’s main objectives are:

Advancing research and development, specifically creating a calculation matrix to map panel productivity at different orientations, ensuring the canopy system is effective for both photovoltaic energy production and agro-textiles.
Designing an integrated model, combining multiple functions within a single structure to create a visually striking and landscape-integrated system.
Developing a prototype, allowing real-world testing of various crops under agrivoltaic conditions to determine the most promising agricultural systems for future implementation.
Summary
Alami Group stands out for its ability to combine expertise in architecture, landscape design, and energy efficiency. This multidisciplinary approach has made it a leader in the agrivoltaic sector, a rapidly growing field that merges solar energy production with agriculture.

Award-Winning Project
Alami Group received prestigious recognition for its project A-Grid Agrivoltaics and Landscape, winning first prize in the “Agrivoltaics for Noah’s Ark” competition. This innovative project is based on tensile structures, offering several advantages:

Flexibility: Adaptable to different environmental and landscape conditions.
Lower environmental impact: Uses fewer materials and has a reduced visual footprint compared to traditional systems.
Increased arable land: Greater spacing between supports allows for more cultivated area.
Crop protection: Can be integrated with agro-textiles to shield plants from extreme weather conditions.
Future Goals
Alami Group aims to continue developing its patented system by:

Optimizing energy production: Studying panel productivity at different angles and integrating multiple functions into a single structure.
Advancing agricultural research: Creating a prototype to test various crops and define ideal agrivoltaic farming systems.
Enhancing landscape integration: Designing visually appealing structures that blend seamlessly into the environment.

👉 For more information: www.sustainablephotovoltaiclandscapes.com