Compatibility between Crops and Solar Panels: An Overview from Shading Systems

Raúl Aroca-Delgado,Ángel Callejón-Ferre,José Pérez-Alonso,Borja Velázquez-Martí

doi:10.3390/su10030743

Raúl Aroca-Delgado, Ángel Callejón-Ferre + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su10030743

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Abstract

The use of alternative energy in agricultural production is desired by many researchers, especially for protected crops that are grown in greenhouses with photovoltaic panels on the roofs. These panels allow for the passage of varying levels of sunlight according to the needs of each type of crop. In this way, sustainable and more economic energy can be generated than that offered by fossil fuels. The objective of this work is to review the literature regarding the applications of selective shading systems with crops, highlighting the use of photovoltaic panels. In this work, shading systems have been classified as bleaching, mesh, screens, and photovoltaic modules. The search was conducted using Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus until February 2018. In total, 113 articles from scientific journals and related conferences were selected. The most important authors of this topic are “Yano A” and “Abdel-Ghany AM”, and regarding the number of documents cited, the most important journal is Biosystems Engineering. The year 2017 had the most publications, with a total of 20, followed by 2015 with 14. The use of shading systems, especially of photovoltaic panels, requires more crop-specific research to determine the optimum percentage of panels that does not reduce agricultural production.

Highlights

Depending on the latitude, the weather conditions often are not optimal for crops
Were usFeedb.ruAartyot2a0l18o.f 113 articles that were directly or indirectlyOnrelylattweod dtoatatbhaesepsrheavvieoubesetnerumseds,hwahviechbceoeunldalnimaliyt stheedniunmtbheer pofebriiboldiogfrroapmhicJacnituataiornys1990 to Februarobybo2ota0ki1nc8ehd.a.pLteikrse,wanisde,obtehcearussime oilnalryfoarrmticaltessiasnedxccloundgerde.sses were considered, information from books, Only two databases have been used, which could limit the number of bibliographic citations obtained3..SLhiakdeiwngi,sMe,ebshec, SacurseenosnalnydaOrttihcelress and congresses were considered, information from books, book chapteSrhsa, dainndg optrhodeurcseidmbilyardfifoferrmenattssyissteemxcsluadndedu.sed in greenhouses has been investigated by numerous authors, mainly from the 1990s to the present (Table 1)
The number of relevant publications has increased. These three countries are in the same latitude range, the studies are very different depending on the type of crop selected and the type of greenhouse structure

Summary

Introduction

The weather conditions (temperature, humidity, and CO2) often are not optimal for crops. For this reason, crops are usually protected by structures (greenhouses). To correct high and low temperatures, several shading systems in greenhouses are available: bleaching, mesh, screens, and photovoltaic panels (Figure 1). Bleaching is the simplest and most economical technique that is used as a shading system. It consists of applying a solution of water and calcium carbonate to the roof of the greenhouse [1]. The other systems that were used (mesh and screens) can be used inside or outside of the greenhouse, and can be permanent (fixed) or mobile (displaceable; Figure 1)

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