Agro photovoltaic: feasibility of synergistic system in the sugarcane bioenergy sector

Abstract

A feasibility analysis of the agro photovoltaic approach applied in the sugarcane energy sector is presented. A tailored architecture of photovoltaic implementation was designed to be installed above and on the same area of sugarcane plot without reduction of the planted area, respecting the agronomic requirements of the crop. Were analyzed mutual influences, necessary adjustments in crop handling, life cycle management, cross effects on agro-industrial costs and yields, potential savings, gains by additional electricity generation and improved economic results from synergies. The combined cross effects were applied in a hypothetical sugar-energy plant in the central region of the state of São Paulo, using typical figures and parameters of the 2019/2020 harvest season, based on updated sectorial reports, and using similarly typical parameters of photovoltaic plants. The greatest operational gain was due to the optimization and cost sharing with the exiting electricity generation on the thermal plant drive by biomass, and the highest relative incremental cost resulted from the photovoltaic installation, adapted conveniently to the special management and handling practices required by sugarcane crop. The approach proved economically feasible, respecting the agronomic conditions of the crop and the optimized use of the electric cogeneration infrastructure drive by biomass. The approach resulted on a significant increase in the revenues of energy cogeneration and the joint economic margin. The main feasibility constraints and check items are those related to the minimum negotiated average price of electricity, and to the CAPEX of the adapted photovoltaic architecture installation, strongly linked to the currency exchange ratio.