AGRITRACK
What is "Agrovoltaics"?
We call "agrovoltaic energy" the technology that combines good agricultural practices with modern solar technology to produce clean electricity, improve the use of agricultural land, and reduce water consumption.
How Does Agrovoltaics Work?
Agrovoltaic systems combine both energy production and food production. When solar panels are elevated, crops can grow underneath in local and fluctuating shade.
Solar panels in agricultural environments maintain a lower average temperature than those installed in urban areas, which can maximize energy production in these settings.
Advantages of Agrovoltaics
The agricultural-photovoltaic fusion has a positive impact on agricultural systems by enabling both food and electricity production on the same land.
Studies have shown that crop yields improve in these systems, particularly in environments with high radiation and temperatures.
Types of Agrovoltaic Installations
Currently, several basic solar panel placement systems are used in agrovoltaics:
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Between crop rows.
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On poles above crops.
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In greenhouses.
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In vineyards.
Each system can be adjusted to maximize the solar energy absorption of both the solar panels and the crops.
Water Impact in Agrovoltaics
The water impact of agrovoltaics is highly beneficial for certain crops, such as lettuce.
With irrigation and solar panels, studies have shown that water evaporation is reduced, making agrovoltaic systems highly suitable for water-scarce regions where conserving water is crucial.
According to several studies, the combined cost of solar energy generation and the cultivation of shade-tolerant crops increases the value of farms by more than 30% compared to traditional agriculture.
However, shade crops represent only a small portion of agricultural productivity. For example, wheat crops do not thrive under low-light conditions, making them unsuitable for agrovoltaic systems.
In such cases, farmers could opt for alternative clean and renewable energy systems.
As we can see, agrovoltaics is emerging as a key trend in the solar energy sector, offering great business opportunities, job creation, and a more sustainable approach to agriculture.
