More energy and oil possible by combining photovoltaic installations with olive groves
The integration of photovoltaic installations on agricultural land has long led to discussion about the balance between energy production and crop cultivation. Now the innovative approach to combine the two has gained momentum, with promising results. This ‘agrivoltaic’ system, in which solar panels are placed in agricultural setups, has been investigated by a research team from the University of Cordoba to see whether solar energy and agricultural production can mutually reinforce each other.
The research group, consisting of Marta Varo Martinez, Luis Manuel Fernandez de Ahumada and Rafael Lopez Luque from the Physics for Renewable Energies and Resources group, together with Alvaro Lopez Bernal and Francisco Villalobos from the Soil-Water-Plant Relations group, developed a model that simulates an agrivoltaic system in olive tree plantations. This simulation model combined predictions for oil yield from olive hedges and energy generation from solar collectors to assess combined productivity. The study concluded that using both simultaneously increased overall productivity, marking a potential shift in land use strategy that could meet both clean energy and food needs.
Key findings show that mutual benefits arise when solar panels provide shade and act as windbreaks that do not compete for water, improving agricultural production. Meanwhile, the cooling effect of plant evaporation can improve the efficiency of solar collectors by lowering their temperature, thereby increasing energy yield.
This model allows researchers to experiment with different collector configurations, adjusting the height, width and spacing to determine the most effective designs. Despite the generally positive results, the team noted that overly dense structures could limit space for machinery or make olive grove maintenance difficult. The approach underlines the importance of striking a balance between land use density and operational accessibility.
Research report:Electrical and agricultural productivity simulation model of an agrivoltaic system with olive trees
