Ramacca, Catania (Sicily, Italy) – October 15, 2025 – In a bold step toward climate resilience and sustainable agriculture, Azienda Agricola Marino Mario, a Sicilian agricultural enterprise located on the slopes of Mount Etna, has installed a 100kW floating solar system to significantly cut electricity costs and conserve water in one of Italy’s most drought-prone regions.
The project was made possible thanks to regional funding from Bando Siccità 5.1, a government incentive program that covers up to 80% of costs for agricultural initiatives aimed at improving energy independence and reduce water consumption.
“Floating solar installations are an ideal solution for land-constrained agricultural sites facing water scarcity, enabling farmers to generate clean energy while simultaneously protecting vital water resources,” says Alessio Catalano, Owner and Business Developer at C.S. Group, which designed and installed the system. “Incentive programs like Bando Siccità 5.1 enable agricultural companies to recover a significant portion of their investment, making the transition to more resilient and sustainable operations much more attainable.”
The solar array is mounted on a floating pontoon on an irrigation reservoir within Azienda Agricola Marino Mario’s estate and is forecast to meet up to 90% of the producer’s annual electricity demand. The solar system benefits from the reservoir’s natural cooling effect, which boosts energy yield. In return, the solar panels provide shade that is expected to reduce water evaporation by as much as 30%, helping to combat regional water scarcity.
Installing a solar system on moving water demanded a highly-resilient solution. Drawing on its deep expertise and using SolarEdge’s advanced DC-optimised inverter technology, C.S. Group delivered a robust system engineered to perform reliably under continuous water movement.
Central to this approach is a bespoke anchoring system, specifically designed to provide long-term stability for the floating solar array. The structure is secured using a combination of ballasts and steel cables engineered to absorb movement caused by wind and fluctuating water levels. To further reinforce the installation, the system incorporates seismic shock absorbers and integrated walkways, ensuring safe and reliable access for maintenance and inspections.
To further enhance the performance and safety of the system, SolarEdge technology was selected for the project. The system features 164 solar panels, which are upgraded to smart modules using SolarEdge Power Optimisers, along with a 90 kW SolarEdge inverter.
A key advantage of the SolarEdge solution is its ability to maximise energy yield in dynamic environments. Unlike traditional inverter systems where panels operate in series, SolarEdge Power Optimisers allow each pair of panels to function independently. This is particularly beneficial for floating solar installations, where issues such as cloud cover, soiling, and moving water surfaces can cause uneven performance. By isolating and optimising each module pair, the system maintains stable, high-output performance, even under constantly changing environmental conditions.
The solution also delivers enhanced safety through its SafeDC™ functionality, which automatically reduces the array’s output voltage to a touch-safe level, allowing maintenance teams or, in the unlikely event of an emergency, firefighters, to safely access the pontoon.
In parallel, the system’s performance is continuously monitored via SolarEdge’s cloud-based platform, enabling real-time performance tracking and remote diagnostics. This significantly reduces the need for on-site inspections and ensures any issues are identified and addressed quickly, minimising downtime and maximising long-term energy production.
“By combining our local and engineering expertise with SolarEdge’s innovative technology, we’ve ensured that Azienda Agricola Marino Mario can power its operations with reliable, clean energy, while protecting its precious water resources for many years to come. Beyond this project, we see floating solar as a replicable model for many other agricultural businesses in Sicily and across Italy, helping the sector face both rising energy costs and the urgent challenges of climate change,” concludes Catalano.
The system features 164 solar panels, which are upgraded to smart modules using SolarEdge Power Optimisers, along with a 90 kW SolarEdge inverter.
A key advantage of the SolarEdge solution is its ability to maximise energy yield in variable environments.
About SolarEdge
SolarEdge is a global leader in smart energy technology. By leveraging world-class engineering capabilities and with a relentless focus on innovation, SolarEdge creates smart energy solutions that power our lives and drive future progress. SolarEdge developed an intelligent inverter solution that changed the way power is harvested and managed in photovoltaic (PV) systems. The SolarEdge DC optimised inverter seeks to maximise power generation while lowering the cost of energy produced by the PV system. Continuing to advance smart energy, SolarEdge addresses a broad range of energy market segments through its PV, storage, EV charging, batteries, , and grid services solutions. SolarEdge is online at www.solaredge.com
Press Contact
Paola Bonfanti, Incus Media
paola.bonfanti@incus-media.com
+39 320 0714638