Agrovoltaic systems (combination of biomass production and electricity production by photovoltaics (PV)) are typically installed in locations with high insolation and/or arid climates in order to protect the crops against drought and sunburn. However, even in Belgium with a temperate maritime climate, summers are getting warmer and dryer, with reduced crop yields as result. This paper describes the first agrivoltaic prototype in Belgium. By use of a coupled simulation program developed in Python, a checkerboard panel arrangement was selected as an initial validation, in order to have a homogeneous ground radiation and crop growth. Potatoes were grown below the PV modules and the microclimate was measured. Results show lower temperatures below the PV modules and less transpiration and evaporation from crop and soil. The leaf area of the potatoes was larger below the PV modules which indicates an adapted light harvesting capability. Night-time temperatures were not seen to be improved under the agrivoltaic checkerboard structure, which indicates that this arrangement may not provide much protection against frost.

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Interest in agrivoltaic systems (the combination of agriculture and photovoltaics (PV)) is growing. Many small-scale installations show the possible benefits for both the agricultural and energy sector. However, this multidisciplinary technology also results in a complex design process for the various stakeholders (farmers, PV installers, policy makers). This work proposes the first, easy to use, "quick-scan" webtool incorporating several performance indicators on crop and energy level. The webtool provides insights in the relationship of the performance indicators and important cost-determining design parameters, and therefore seriously reduce the design phase. It is concluded that crop impact information is still the missing key in the further development of the tool and this technology.

This study presents an evaluation of the potential of agrovoltaic (combined use of photovoltaic systems and crop production) systems in Europe, using a python-based agrovoltaic simulation tool. The evaluation is based on three criteria: the PV energy yield, potential crop yield, and the agronomic impact of the agrovoltaic system on the biomass yield. Results confirm that the potential of PV energy increases with decreasing latitude, i.e. higher solar insolation levels. In contrast, the potential agricultural yield of winter wheat mainly depends on the variety of the crop and its ability to absorb light in shaded conditions. The leaf area index will be a crucial parameter in order to evaluate the performance in agrovoltaic conditions. It is concluded that the biggest potential in Europe for agrovoltaic systems with winter wheat is situated around the Mediterranean region, with a high PV performance, limited grain yield losses and a high potential of additional protection against heat stress and drought by agrovoltaic structures.