Scientists in Canada studied Romaine SLA growth under Cadmium Telluride Dunne film solar modules with different transparency and photosynthetically active radiation, and found the German regulatory framework the most effective for maximizing the Agrivoltaic benefits.
Researchers from Canada who from Canada Western University Have experimentally tested the yield of Romaine lettuce in agrivolaric setups, with different transparency and photosynthetically active radiation (par) levels in an attempt to define a clear connection between PV transparency, par and crop productivity.
“As far as we know, no earlier research has systematically tested how varying PV transparents influence the par and crop yields in a controlled environment,” said the corresponding author Uzair Jamil PV -Magazine. “Our study in a unique way quantifies the impact of a wide range of PV transparents on the performance of par and crop and offers empirical findings that can inform Agrivoltaic policy. Due to these results in contextualizing within the already matched agrivoltaic, where the AG offers the AG offers the study the study offers the study of the study of the AG’s study, the study of the AG’s study, the study is offering the study of the AG’s study. potentially fully integrated. “
The experiment was carried out in a controlled environment, where the circumstances in the Biomen were representative of Outdoor Summer in London, Ontario, Canada. During the day temperatures were maintained at 25 ° C, while night temperatures were set at 19 ° C to supplement the lighting during the 16-H daylight phase, four 600 W high pressure sodium fixtures were used. Seven different transparants of Cadmium Telluride (CDTE) Thin film solar modules, namely 10%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%and 80%. Six lettuce plants were grown under each module, while eight were planted without the modules to act as a control.
Image: Western University, Journal of Cleaner Production, CC by 4.0
“The experimental timeline starts with sowing three plants per pot on February 21, 2024. The first turnout of SLA plants was observed on day 6, followed by the initial thinner of pots on day 12, reducing pots with three germinated seeds to two plants per pot. Final dilution was done on day 20, on day of a single plant that was specified. “The fertilization was started on March 20, 2024, with subsequent applications on day 34, day 40, day 44 and day 47. Each pot received 0.75 g of fertilizer solved in 0.5 l of water per application.”
The researchers measured during the experiment and the SLA yield at the harvest, discovered that the 10% transparency module showed the lowest values in both the par and fresh weight of SLA. Pear values varied from 43.75 to 52.34 micromol/m2-s [micromoles, per square meter, per second]While fresh weight varied between less than 1 g and 15 g. The 80% transparency module yielded the most favorable results, with pear values ranging from 70.31 to 117.19 micromol/m2-s and fresh weight overvoltage of 34 to 424 g. The average fresh weight of lettuce harvested from the control treatment was 417 g with a nominal value of 129.69 micromol/m2s.
With the help of those results, the team tested the dignity of growing lettuce under PV panels on four European markets. They checked Germany, where the regulations rules that the crop should retain at least 66% of its yield; In France, crops have to maintain 90% of their yield; in Itay, where a maximum PV land coverage of 40% is set; And in the Czech Republic, where only 10% can be covered by PV.
“One of the most surprising results was the extent to which Agrivoltaic policy could influence the decisions of land use and the overall acceptance,” said Jamil. “Our findings indicate that PV system design and module configuration not only have a direct influence on the yield of crops, but also have broader implications for how policy makers can stimulate or limit agrivoltaic integration, which emphasizes the crucial role of policy design in maximizing both energy and food.”
The results of the study indicated that a minimal yield requirement could be set at 70%. This means that German policy seems to be the most consistent with available data for maximizing the Agrivoltaic benefits, while the disadvantage is minimized.
“What is even more important, policymakers must take into account the use of dynamic mandates with an assessment cycle, ie at least 5 years, to guarantee policy alignment with developing technological trends and agricultural practices,” concluded the academics.
Their findings were presented in “PHotosynthetically active radiation complexities in agrivoltaic policy mandates: Insights from controlled environment yields photovoltaicPublished in the Journal of Cleaner Production.
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