An Efficient Structure of an Agrophotovoltaic System in a Temperate Climate Region

Sojung Kim,Sumin Kim,Chang-Yong Yoon

doi:10.3390/agronomy11081584

Sojung Kim, Sumin Kim + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11081584

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify an efficient agrophotovoltaic (APV) system structure for generating electricity from solar radiation without causing an adverse impact on crop growth. In a temperate climate region, it is critical to design an APV system with appropriate structure with the maximum amount of electricity generation because, unlike in desert areas, strong solar radiation is only available for a few hours a day. In this study, APV systems with three different shading ratios (i.e., 32%, 25.6%, and 21.3%) were considered, and the optimum structure in terms of electricity efficiency and profitability was investigated via nonlinear programming. Moreover, an estimation model of electricity generation was developed via a polynomial regression model based on remote sensing data given by the APV system located at Jeollanamdo Agricultural Research and Extension Services in South Korea. To evaluate the impact of the APV on crop production, five different grain crops—sesame (Sesamum indicum), mung bean (Vigna radiata), red bean (Vigna angularis), corn (Zea mays), and soybean (Glycine max)—were cultivated in the system. As a result, the proposed optimization model successfully identified the best APV system structure without reducing existing crop production.

Highlights

Published: 9 August 2021Solar energy has received worldwide attention due to its potential benefits for the environment and the sustainability of humankind
It has a high production cost of $126/MWh compared to existing energy sources such as coal ($88/MWh), natural gas ($71/MWh), and nuclear ($69/MWh) [2], solar energy can be competitive if the government imposes an additional tax on greenhouse gas (GHG)
We proposed an efficient structure for an APV system in a temperate climate region

Summary

Introduction

Published: 9 August 2021Solar energy has received worldwide attention due to its potential benefits for the environment and the sustainability of humankind. As a major renewable energy source, solar energy can be generated without causing a harmful impact on the environment [1]. It has a high production cost of $126/MWh compared to existing energy sources such as coal ($88/MWh), natural gas ($71/MWh), and nuclear ($69/MWh) [2], solar energy can be competitive if the government imposes an additional tax on greenhouse gas (GHG). According to Pehl et al [3], coal, natural gas, and solar energy generate 109 kg CO2e/MWh, 78 kg CO2e/MWh, and 6 kg CO2e/MWh, respectively. To make solar energy competitive among energy sources, many countries are imposing an additional tax on GHG emissions [4]. The U.S is planning to charge $0.025 per kg CO2e as GHG emissions [5], and South Korea supports

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