Photovoltaic energy storage and agricultural photovoltaic complementarity

Can agrivoltaic systems balance land use for energy and food production?

The optimal combination of PV and agricultural production in agrivoltaic systems is the subject of extensive scientific exploration. Hugo Sánchez Ortiz report reports on some of the findings of research into how best to balance land use for energy and food production.

Can wavelength selective PV technology boost agrivoltaic development?

Wavelength selective PV technologies can boost agrivoltaic developments. A meta-analysis shows berries and leafy vegetables as suitable for agrivoltaics. Crop selection and PV design for agrivoltaics require synonymous optimization. The increasing global population amplifies the demand for food and energy.

Are agrivoltaics a key component of solar PV poverty alleviation?

Consequently, the Chinese government has positioned agrivoltaic projects as a crucial component of solar PV poverty alleviation policies (Zhou et al., 2023). Based on a comprehensive review of agrivoltaics, agrivoltaics is intricately linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations.

What is agrivoltaics?

Therefore, new systems which enable dual land use are providing a solution to combine renewable energy and food production. Agrivoltaics (AV) aims to achieve an optimized dual land use for solar energy and crops.

Should agriculture and photovoltaic systems be combined?

The utilization of a tandem of agriculture and photovoltaic (AV) systems brings with it several benefits and challenges. One of the primary advantages is the additional income generated through energy production. However, some crops may experience a decrease in yield due to shading effects and changes in soil moisture conditions.

Can agrivoltaics preserve cropland in a full-density PV system?

Compared to PV installations causing these croplands to be completely abandoned, agrivoltaics in a full-density PV system scenario could preserve up to 139 km 2 of cropland with a corresponding crop yield of 7.1 × 10 4 tons, which is 9 % of the crop yield in a no-PV scenario.