Integrare la percezione degli impianti fotovoltaici nella pianificazione urbanistica: il caso di studio di Arcos de la Frontera

In recent years, the number of photovoltaic installations has been increasing to meet the European requirements for energy transition. In Andalucia, the common model of implementation is large-scale installations, which has significantly impacted the landscape. In future years, it is expected that the number of solar panels will grow, and cities are starting to integrate their spatial plans with energy issues. This study aims to address the acceptance and the impact of photovoltaic panels in Arcos de la Frontera, a case study representative of small and medium cities in Andalucia. The perception was assessed through questionnaires to the inhabitants, using the Q methodology. Specifically, visual Q methodology was applied to assess the perceived impact of photovoltaic systems. A total number of 36 landscape images of photovoltaic application in Mediterranean countries have been collected and used in the analysis. The number of participants were 21, including experts and non-experts. The analysis identified four factors representing different viewpoints on the integration of photovoltaic systems in small and medium cities, characterized by urban and rural landscapes. The study is developed within the framework of the PEARLS project and aims to integrate the opinion of the inhabitants in spatial planning and design practices related to the implementation of PV plants at the local scale.