A Conceptual Framework to Design Green Infrastructure: Ecosystem Services as an Opportunity for Creating Shared Value in Ground Photovoltaic Systems

Teodoro Semeraro, Roberta Aretano, Amilcare Barca, Alessandro Pomes, Cecilia Del Giudice, Elisa Gatto, Marcello Lenucci, Riccardo Buccolieri, Rohinton Emmanuel, Zhi Gao and Alessandra Scognamiglio
Additional contact information
Teodoro Semeraro: Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, S.P. 6 Lecce-Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Roberta Aretano: Environmental Consultant, Via San Leucio 15, 72100 Brindisi, Italy
Amilcare Barca: Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, S.P. 6 Lecce-Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Alessandro Pomes: Technital SpA, Via Carlo Cattaneo 20, 37121 Verona, Italy
Cecilia Del Giudice: Global Solar Fund Engineering Italy s.r.l., Viale Regina Margherita 13, 72100 Brindisi, Italy
Elisa Gatto: Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, S.P. 6 Lecce-Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Marcello Lenucci: Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, S.P. 6 Lecce-Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Riccardo Buccolieri: Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, S.P. 6 Lecce-Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Rohinton Emmanuel: School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK
Zhi Gao: School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
Alessandra Scognamiglio: ENEA, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Energy Technologies Department, Photovoltaic and Smart Grids Lab, Portici Research Centre, Largo Enrico Fermi 1, 80055 Portici (NA), Italy

Land, 2020, vol. 9, issue 8, 1-28

Abstract: This paper presents a conceptual framework that looks at photovoltaic systems in synergy with ecosystem services. The focus is to connect business success with social and ecological progress based on the operative concept of multifunctional land use. Such an approach attempts to harmonise the needs of the industrial processes of photovoltaic systems and the ecological and social needs of the landscape context. Different from the usual design of ground photovoltaic systems in farmlands or brownfields, a new framework is proposed, combining photovoltaic panels and vegetation. A case study is considered, applying the framework to existing photovoltaic systems in the Apulia region (southern Italy). The analysis shows how the framework has, among others, the major functions of increasing solar energy production, recycling wastewater, creating raw material for biofuel, as well as providing animal habitat and mitigating air temperature. The latter is preliminarily evaluated by means of modelling simulations performed with a computational fluid dynamics and microclimate model, ENVI-met. This approach opens up a new vision of the infrastructure design of photovoltaic systems which can produce new social and economic income.

Keywords: ground photovoltaic system; land use; ecosystem services; green infrastructure; water treatment and supply; multifunctional land use; technology services; creating shared value (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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