Improving Agrivoltaic Synergies by optimized tracking strategies
Agrivoltaic systems, which merge agricultural cultivation with solar energy generation, are a strategic solution for the double challenge to meet the increasing global energy requirements and the guarantee of food security. By setting up solar panels directly above crops, these systems reduce conflicts in land use and provide extra benefits, such as the relief of water stress of crops and the shielding of plants against extreme weather conditions. They also promote ecological benefits, including creating habitats for pollinators and improving the availability of feeds. In dry regions, the Agrivoltaïschens have shown to delay the flowering and stimulate flower production, so that pollinators are supported later in the season. Moreover, the moderate microclimate under solar panels can improve photovoltaic efficiency.
As their adoption expands, optimizing agrivoltaic systems is crucial by advanced tracking technologies. Horizontal Single -As Tracker (HSAT) systems, which run solar panels to follow the path of the sun during the day, can significantly improve system performance. Strategic management of panel orientation can achieve a delicate balance between maximizing solar output and securing crop yields. This balance is particularly important for securing subsidies, for which often Agrivoltaic systems remain within specified interest loss margins, which strengthens their financial feasibility.
A recent study published in the Journal of Photonics for Energy (JPE) sheds light on methodologies to refine solar panel corners for optimum energy and agricultural results. The study, aimed at apple orchards in southwestern Germany, introduces a new technique to dynamically align panel positions with specific requirements for crop light. Instead of trusting conventional shadow guidelines or static structures such as hail nets, this method uses precise radiation goals to achieve the unique light needs of different crops. Researchers used a customized simulation tool, APYV, to investigate how variations in panel corners influence the availability of sunlight for crops.
The APYV platform applies advanced Ray Tracing -Algorithms to map the distribution of the solar radiation, so that the influence on both solar panels and crops is assessed. This tool streamlines the Agrivoltaic system design by integrating crease models and important performance statistics, making accurate calculations of light exposure and its impact on system performance.
The findings from the Case Study showed that tailor -made panel control could supply 91 percent of the annual light requirement for apple trees, while only a little falling solar power decreases by 20 percent. Nevertheless, certain periods of time revealed deficits when complying with the requirements of the crop light, which emphasizes the inherent challenge to achieve perfect coordination between agricultural and energy goals. Despite these limitations, the study is a strong platform for future research and refinement.
“Onze studie toont aan dat de combinatie van zonne-energie en landbouw kan worden verbeterd door slimme PV-trackers die de positie van zonnepanelen aanpassen op basis van weersomstandigheden, gewastypen en hun groeifasen. Deze benadering zorgt voor een optimale balans tussen Light beschikbaar voor fotosynthese en licht beschikbaar voor elektriciteitsproductie,” verklaarde de overeenkomstige auteur Maddelena Bruno, een arts-onderzoeker bij Fraunhofer at Fraunhofer.
Bruno further indicated that the proposed radiation goals and tracking methodology are planned for field tests during the current growing season in Nussbach. These studies are intended to validate simulation results and to broaden the concept of how agrivoltaic systems influence the growth of crops and environmental conditions. The research is expected to inform future strategies for the integration of agriculture and renewable energy, which contributes to a more sustainable transfer of energy.
Research report:Improving Agrivoltaic Synergies by optimized tracking strategies
