Abstract
To safeguard future renewable energy and food supply the use of agrophotovoltaic (APV) systems was investigated, which enable simultaneous production under the same piece of land. As conventional photovoltaic (PV) array topologies lead to unfavourable conditions for crop growth, the application of APV is limited to areas with high solar insolation. By optimizing the APV array’s design, compatibility with various climates and crop species can be attained. Therefore, the aim of this research was to establish a multi-scale modelling approach and determine the optimal topology for a medium-to-large-scale fixed bifacial APV array. Three main topologies were analyzed under the climate of Boston, USA: S-N facing, E-W wings, and E-W vertical. For each topology, respectively, specific yield was amplified by 39%, 18%, and 13% in comparison to a conventional monofacial ground mounted PV array. E-W vertical is more appropriate for permanent crop species, while S-N facing necessitates the cultivation of shade tolerant crops during summer as electricity generation is prioritized. The E-W wings APV topology combines the best of both; light is distributed homogeneously, and crops are effectively shaded at noon. To promote the growth rate of blueberries under shade, customized bifacial modules were integrated (arranged as the E-W wings). Land productivity enhanced by 50%, whereas electrical AC yield reduced by 33% relative to the conventional and separate production. Through this holistic approach, it is possible to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the limitations and potential synergies associated with the dual use of land; ultimately, encouraging the transition of the agricultural sector into sustainability.
Highlights
The continuous development of solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies coupled with rapid cost reductions and advances in conversion effi ciency have resulted in a remarkable reduction of the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of ground mounted PV (GMPV) [1]
This could be partially allevi ated through aggressive installation of building integrated PV (BIPV); the rising demand for GMPV will inevitably lead to the establishment of these systems on agricultural land [3]
To minimize capital costs and facilitate the operation of most machinery an elevation of 5 m was selected for the following simulations, apart from the study case of blueberries discussed in 4.3 Module sensitivity – micro scale
Summary
The continuous development of solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies coupled with rapid cost reductions and advances in conversion effi ciency have resulted in a remarkable reduction of the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of ground mounted PV (GMPV) [1]. Their economic competitiveness is promoted, which is essential as the global energy consumption is projected to rise by 50% from 2018 to 2050 [2]. One promising solution is the application of agrophotovoltaic (APV) [4] or agrivoltaic [5] systems that permit the simultaneous cultivation of crops and pro duction of renewable electricity; diminishing the land-use conflict. In this work both terms were used interchangeably as they refer to stilt mounted PV systems elevated above cropland
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