A Study on Economic Analysis of Independent Pillar Type Agrophotovoltaic and High Value-Added Crop Cultivation

Abstract

This study entailed an economic feasibility analysis for a 100 kW agrophotovoltaic model based on the empirical data of a 20 kW independent pillar type agrophotovoltaic system and crop growth evaluation data. The blueberry growth investigation indicated the absence of any significant difference in transverse diameter, longitudinal diameter, sugar content, and acidity of the experimental and control groups. However, the sugar content of the second harvested blueberries was higher than that of the first harvest. In addition, the number of fruit set in the experimental group was 663.1, and that in the control group was 767.1. This is attributable to the delayed blooming time of blueberry flowers owing to the decrease in solar radiation caused by the shading of the agrophotovoltaic modules. The average income per 20a of blueberries, a high value-added crop, was calculated to be 20,517,000 won. The average annual power generation of 100 kW agrophotovoltaic, total generation cost, and net profit were calculated to be 130,481 kWh, 22,313,000 won, and 9,872,000 won, respectively. In addition, the revenue from the high-value-added crops of the agrophotovoltaic system was 20,517,000 won, and the net profit through power generation was calculated as 9,872,000 won, thereby indicating higher profits through crops.