terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Influence of agrophotovoltaic on vine and must in a cool climate

Influence of agrophotovoltaic on vine and must in a cool climate

Abstract

The current energy crisis means that interest in agrophotovoltaics has increased significantly. The reason behind this is that the system aims to combine agricultural production with energy production. During the three-year period from 2020 to 2022, the effects of photovoltaic panels on the vine, the yield and the quality of the must were studied in Walenstadt in northern Switzerland, an area with a cool, humid climate. 65 Pinot noir vines were planted in the 160m2 study area. Because of the large edge effects, only 3 repetitions with 4 vines each could be created. A significantly lower leaf infestation by Plasmopara viticola was observed among the panels in each of the three years. However, in 2021 a significantly lower grape infestation was observed with an extremely high infestation pressure. In contrast, significantly higher powdery mildew leaf infestations were observed in 2020 and 2022, with infestations well below the economic threshold. During the three-year study period, the sugar content among the panels was significantly lower at around 0.9 to 1.8 Brix, and the total acidity was significantly higher between 1 and 1.3 g/l. These results indicate an approximate 1-week delay in ripening. Growth was optically stronger underneath the panels throughout the dry years 2020 and 2022, but only in the latter was it possible to measure a significantly higher pruning weight. The significantly lower value of the relative carbon isotope composition (Δ13C) in must sugars under the panels indicates greater water stress compared to the control, which can be attributed to reduced transpiration under the panels.
Conclusion: In the three years observed no significant negative impact of the photovoltaic panels could be determined, either on the yield or on the components of the must. The delay in ripening is usually a positive aspect, as is the reduced pressure from downy mildew. However, there is still a need for optimisation in construction so that unhindered mechanical cultivation is possible.

DOI:

Publication date: December 20, 2023

Issue: OENO Macrowine 2023

Type: Article

Authors

Peter Schumacher1

1 ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences

Contact the author*

Keywords

Agrophotovoltaic, Plasmospara viticola, berry composition, water stress

Tags

IVES Conference Series | oeno macrowine 2023 | oeno-macrowine

Citation

Related articles…

Molecular approaches for understanding and modulating wine taste

Wine consumers generally demand wines having a perception of softer tannins and less ripe, having a heaviness and richness on palate (full-body wine) with a limpid and stable color. However, polyphenol
(tannins)-rich wines have been also correlated with unpleasant taste properties such as astringency and
bitterness when perceived at high intensities. Modulating these unpleasant properties could be important for consumer’s approval of wines.

ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY OF INACTIVATED NON-SACCHAROMYCES YEASTS

The importance of the non-Saccharomyces yeasts (NSY) in winemaking has been extensively reviewed in the past for their aromatic or bioprotective capacity while, recently their antioxidant/antiradical potential has emerged under winemaking conditions. In the literature the antioxidant potential of NSY was solely explored through their capacity to improve glutathione (GSH) content during alcoholic fermen- tation [1], while more and more studies pointed out the activity of the non-glutathione soluble fraction released by yeasts [2].

WINE AS AN EMOTIONAL AND AESTHETIC OBJECT: IMPACT OF EXPERTISE

Wine tasting has been shown to provide emotions to tasters (Coste et al. 2018). How will expertise impact this emotional response? Burnham and Skilleås (2012) reported that the cultural, experiential, and aesthetic competencies characterize an expert in wine compared to a novice. Although there is no consensual definition of an aesthetic experience, Burnham and Skilleås (2012) reported that aesthetic appreciation is “disinterested, normative for others and communicable” in comparison to sensory pleasure.

OENOLOGICAL STRATEGIES FOR THE REMOVAL OF PINKING IN WHITE WINE

The pinking of in white wine is the turning of color from yellow to salmon hue. White wines obtained from certain grape varieties (e.g. Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, Riesling, Trebbiano di Lugana) showed to be susceptible to pinking [1] that has been evaluated by an assay providing the addition of hydrogen peroxide. Even if its appearance does not seem to affect the sensory properties [2], strategies are necessary for its removal. Nowadays, the treatment with polyvinylpolipirroline (PVPP) was reported to significantly decrease the pink color [3].

Microbial ecosystems in wineries – molecular interactions between species and modelling of population dynamics

Microbial ecosystems are primary drivers of viticultural, oenological and other cellar-related processes
such as wastewater treatment. Metagenomic datasets have broadly mapped the vast microbial species
diversity of many of the relevant ecological niches within the broader wine environment, from vineyard
soils to plants and grapes to fermentation. The data highlight that species identities and diversity
significantly impact agronomic performance of vineyards as well as wine quality, but the complexity
of these systems and of microbial growth dynamics has defeated attempts to offer actionable
tools to guide or predict specific outcomes of ecosystem-based interventions.