Agrivoltaics

A new paper finds that combining photovoltaics with crop farming can result in revenue gains over the life of a PV system at a diverse range of locations in the United Kingdom. Researcher Aritra Ghosh tells pv magazine that the benefits of agrivoltaics are “multifaceted.”

Agri-Light has launched its first pilot agrivoltaic project, using a two-axis solar installation on a rail system to move solar panels horizontally above a vineyard in the Negev Desert. The results are due this summer, and the company plans to build commercial projects in Israel and Spain next year.

The National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE) is carrying out two agrivoltaics research projects on solar parks operated by BayWa r.e. and Valorem in several regions of France. Despite the different climatic conditions, similar positive trends were observed with a drop in temperature and an increase in soil humidity under the solar panels, as well as a better quality of forage that made it more digestible for animals.

One of the largest agrivoltaic power plants in Europe is currently under construction in the southwestern German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. REG Energy Engineering has designed a new, material-saving substructure for the project that allows for livestock grazing.

Research at three Canadian locations tried to identify which crops can grow between differently spaced rows of vertical agrivoltaic systems. The scientists concluded that all traditional corps could be grown at the research sites, including arugula, beets, bok choy, celery, coriander, collards, fava beans, kale, lettuce, parsley, parsnips, peas, swiss chard, and thyme.

An international consortium led by Israel-based Al-Zahrawi Society announced the first European installations of a multi-year project to test crop-responsive PV systems combined with carbon dioxide enrichment in greenhouses.

Fraunhofer ISE researchers are applying deep learning and digital twin modelling tools to optimize PV tracker control systems for use in farming and biodiversity projects. The goal is to be able to automatically position the modules throughout the day to meet the needs of the plants growing below, in light of the microclimatic conditions, and the need to optimize yield.

Academics have used geospatial land-eligibility research and existing legislation to identify the potential for up to 4.7 GW of floating PV, 24.6 GW of solar parking, and 5,437 GW of agrivoltaics in Germany.

Researchers from West Virginia University have secured $1.6 million from the US Department of Energy to install and assess the benefits of agrivoltaics on small cattle farms.

French developer Solveo Energies has developed a 247 kW agrivoltaic facility spread across 3,500 m2. The system features trackers controlled by the Cultiveo Dynamique algorithm, to protect an apricot farm in Pyrénées-Orientales, France.