Volterrani A., Antonucci M. C. (2025). Innovazione tecnologica e partecipazione: prospettive sociologiche sul ruolo delle tecniche partecipative nell'adozione di pannelli fotovoltaici in agricoltura. Culture della Sostenibilità, 35. DOI 10.7402/CDS.35.8

Recent technological advances, particularly in the field of sustainability, have raised social awareness, highlighting the importance of community-led participation. According to Bower and Christensen (1995), disruptive innovations can transform industrial sectors, but they require societal acceptance of new technologies. Overcoming skepticism requires active community involvement from the very beginning. Ramirez (2013) highlights the role of social networks in the adoption of agricultural technologies, while Rose and Chilvers (2018) emphasize the importance of inclusive innovation. With the rise of global challenges related to climate change, it is urgent to involve society in the adoption of technologies such as agri-photovoltaics. The Horizon Europe REGACE project promotes the active participation of farmers in the development of agri-photovoltaic technologies, avoiding top-down approaches and fostering co-creation. At the heart of REGACE is a participatory method that aims to transform innovation into a collaborative and sustainable practice. Recent studies (Spanaki et al., 2022) show how community support brings benefits to the agricultural sector, ensuring an equitable distribution of economic and social value. The initial results of REGACE point toward demonstrating that, in line with the cited literature, community participation in the planning and design phase of new technologies in APV.