Solar Sharing for Both Food and Clean Energy Production: Performance of Agrivoltaic Systems for Corn, A Typical Shade-Intolerant Crop

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to examine the performance of agrivoltaic systems, which produce crops and electricity simultaneously, by installing stilt-mounted photovoltaic (PV) panels on farmland. As PV power stations enjoy remarkable growth, land occupation with the purpose of establishing solar farms will intensify the competition for land resources between food and clean energy production. The results of this research showed, however, that the stilt-mounted agrivoltaic system can mitigate the trade-off between crop production and clean energy generation even when applied to corn, a typical shade-intolerant crop. The research was conducted at a 100-m2 experimental farm with three sub-configurations: no modules (control), low module density, and high module density. In each configuration, 9 stalks/m2 were planted 0.5 m apart. The biomass of corn stover grown in the low-density configuration was larger than that of the control configuration by 4.9%. Also, the corn yield per square meter of the low-density configuration was larger than that of the control by 5.6%. The results of this research should encourage more conventional farmers, clean energy producers, and policy makers to consider adopting stilt-mounted PV systems, particularly in areas where land resources are relatively scarce.

Economic Potential for Rainfed Agrivoltaics in Groundwater-Stressed Regions

“…For example, PV panel shading helps protect crops prone to heat stress, leading to a net increase in crop yields 13,32 . Conversely, for other crops, yields vary proportionately with shading level 33,34 . Panel density in turn impacts power generation potential.…”

Techno-Economic Viability of Agro-Photovoltaic Irrigated Arable Lands in the EU-Med Region: A Case-Study in Southwestern Spain

“…To be conservative, we applied an uncertainty factor of 2, which multiplied by 3.3 equals 6.6%, and finally, rounded to 7%. The reason underlying the uncertainty factor of 2 is that Sekiyama and Nagashima [46] experiments were conducted at latitude 35 • N, while our latitude is higher (37 • N).…”

“…We paid attention to Table 2 [46], biomass of corn stover and Table 3, grain yield. To be conservative, for both tables we focused on the higher PV GCR.…”

“…We took data from both tables because forage maize crop harvest is a mix of chopped stover, ears and grains. From Table 2 [46], we obtained −3% under shading, whereas from Table 3 [46], we obtained −3.6%. The average of both values is 3.3%.…”

Effects on Crop Development, Yields and Chemical Composition of Celeriac (Apium graveolens L. var. rapaceum) Cultivated Underneath an Agrivoltaic System

“…The implementation of AV is currently being investigated in field trials by several researchers [2,5,[7][8][9]. So far, a number of crops have been assessed for their suitability for cultivation underneath AV, including lettuce [8], corn [10], potatoes, winter wheat [9], and fruit vegetables (such as cherry tomatoes and chili peppers) [7]. Additionally, grass-clover has been investigated as a perennial forage crop [9].…”