How solar power and farming can coexist

An illustration showing three applications of agrivoltaics. A protected cropping environment, such as an advanced greenhouse (right), in which lightweight, semitransparent PV cells are integrated into the roof and/or walls. Semitransparent PVs and opaque PVs can also be combined with open cropping environments and livestock, providing shade while also generating power (left).
Credit: Austin Kay

Scientists from Swansea University have developed a new tool to help identify optimal photovoltaic (PV) materials capable of maximising crop growth while generating solar power.

In a recent study published in Solar RRL, academics from the University’s Department of Physics have been exploring the effect of semi-transparent PV materials placed over crops – an exemplary application of agrivoltaics (solar panels combined with agricultural settings).

As part of this work, the team has developed an innovative freeware tool that predicts the light transmission, absorption, and power generation of different PV materials nearly anywhere on the globe using geographical, physical, and electrical measurements.

Austin Kay, lead author of the study and a PhD candidate at Swansea University, said: “This technology, which allows us to compare many types of PV material, could help us determine how we balance food production and renewable energy generation.”

A key factor for optimising agrivoltaics is selecting the appropriate PV material, which requires an understanding of how the material absorbs different wavelengths (colours) of light, as well as its bandgap. A wider bandgap means the material can absorb light that is higher-energy and has a shorter wavelength (blue), while a narrower bandgap allows the absorption of lower-energy, longer wavelength (red) light.

By carefully selecting PV materials with specific bandgaps and absorption properties, researchers can fine-tune the ‘colour’ of light transmitted through semi-transparent PVs to hit the crops, which mainly absorb red and blue light to photosynthesise, reflecting green light.

Project lead, Associate Professor Ardalan Armin, said: “By optimising the combination of solar panels and agriculture, agrivoltaics has the potential to significantly contribute to the decarbonisation of the agricultural sector. This approach not only generates clean energy but also enhances food security.”

Solar panels or PVs can be introduced into agricultural settings in many ways to provide locally generated power with minimal effect on a farm’s output. They can be attached to the roofs of greenhouses or polytunnels and can also be used to provide shelter for livestock. In return, the livestock can reduce maintenance costs by eating vegetation around the panels. However, careful consideration of the type of livestock is crucial as some species, like goats, can jump onto the PVs and cause irreversible damage.

Read the paper On the Performance Limits of Agrivoltaics—From Thermodynamic to Geo-Meteorological Considerations in full.

Journal: Solar RRL
DOI: 10.1002/solr.202400456
Method of Research: Experimental study
Subject of Research: Not applicable
Article Title: On the Performance Limits of Agrivoltaics—From Thermodynamic to Geo-Meteorological Considerations
Article Publication Date: 26-Aug-2024
COI Statement: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Media Contact

Ffion White
Swansea University
f.e.white@swansea.ac.uk
Office: 01792602706

Media Contact

Ffion White
Swansea University

All latest news from the category: Power and Electrical Engineering

This topic covers issues related to energy generation, conversion, transportation and consumption and how the industry is addressing the challenge of energy efficiency in general.

innovations-report provides in-depth and informative reports and articles on subjects ranging from wind energy, fuel cell technology, solar energy, geothermal energy, petroleum, gas, nuclear engineering, alternative energy and energy efficiency to fusion, hydrogen and superconductor technologies.

Back to home

Comments (0)

Write a comment

Newest articles

A chip-based tractor beam for biological particles

The tiny device uses a tightly focused beam of light to capture and manipulate cells. MIT researchers have developed a miniature, chip-based “tractor beam,” like the one that captures the…

A new era of solar observation

International team produces global maps of coronal magnetic field. For the first time, scientists have taken near-daily measurements of the Sun’s global coronal magnetic field, a region of the Sun…

The future of personalized robotics

DFKI optimizes system development with hybrid AI and human feedback. Recent developments in robotics have brought the vision of robots taking over complex tasks as personal assistants and interaction partners…

Partners & Sponsors