Abstract
This study evaluates and compares two types of interspersed bifacial agrivoltaic systems in Belgium: a fixed vertical system and a dynamic single-axis tracker, focusing on sugarbeet cultivation. Additionally, the impact of different tracking algorithms on crop yield and quality is investigated. The main approach involves developing an empirical crop model based on radiation use efficiency (RUE) and utilizing a radiation tool to simulate crop yield and quality. Field measurements of electricity and crop output are conducted over a span of two years, 2021 and 2022. The findings reveal that the dynamic solar tracker outperforms the fixed vertical bifacial setup in both years. The smart-tracking algorithm, applied under optimal watering conditions in the 2021 season, leads to a significant increase in energy yield (＋30%) and land use efficiency (＋20%) at a lower cost, while maintaining comparable crop yields to the vertical setup. However, limitations are observed in the empirical crop growth model’s ability to account for climatic variability in the dry 2022 year, reducing its usefulness during the design phase. Notably, the practical implementation of the systems highlights challenges during construction and exploitation, emphasizing the significance of considering these practical factors together with climate, structure and crop choice assessing the effectiveness and to de-risk investments.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
