Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer
Plant Science Today (PST)

Special issue on Int Conf Spices

Vol. 11 No. sp3 (2024): International Seminar on Spices KAU - 2024

Agrivoltaics system: sustainable approach for okra cultivation and energy stability

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.4719
Submitted
19 August 2024
Published
02-01-2025 — Updated on 09-09-2025
Versions

Abstract

The growing population and energy-intensive industries are raising global energy demand, which can be mitigated by the sustainable use of agrivoltaics systems (AGV). AGV is a notion by which agricultural regions can be used for crop cultivation and photovoltaic electricity production by erecting solar collectors 2-5 m above the ground. In semi-arid and arid areas, the microclimate created under AGV systems is extremely favourable for plant development. AGV systems have several synergistic benefits, including lowering total radiation levels on spices and herbs, thereby increasing yield and promoting water conservation by lowering evapotranspiration and lessening the consequences of high radiation. The present research brought forward an understanding of an AGV system ideal for growing okra. The average moisture content in the soil was found to increase by 2-8 % with a decrease in light intensity by 40 ± 5 % during the summer season, having an additional decrease in air temperature by 2.5 ˚C. The soil surface temperature was also decrease by 8-15 % subsequently, which proved beneficial for plant growth. The AGV system was found to protect protected plant saplings during heavy rains in the rainy season, with a higher germination rate. The change in microclimate data suggests that a better crop growth climate can be obtained under the AGV system alongside energy production throughout the year. Heavy shade significantly reduced okra yields, causing stunted growth and fewer fruits. This study highlights the crucial need for adequate sunlight for okra, a sun-loving plant that requires ample sunshine for optimal fruit development and photosynthesis. Additionally, the techno-economic study also shows that the AGV project can improve economic benefits to the farmers.

References

  1. 1. Nguyen HT, Pearce JM. Estimating potential photovoltaic yield with r.sun and the open-source geographical resources analysis support system. Sol Energy. 2010;84(5):831–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2010.02.009
  2. 2. Tilman D, Socolow R, Foley JA, Hill J, Larson E, Lynd L, et al. Beneficial biofuels—the food, energy and environment trilem-ma. Science. 2009;325(5938):270–1. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1177970
  3. 3. Gonocruz RA, Nakamura R, Yoshino K, Homma M, Doi T, Yoshida Y, et al. Analysis of the rice yield under an agrivoltaic system: A case study in Japan. Environments. 2021;8(7):2–18. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments8070065
  4. 4. Goetzberger A, Zastrow A. On the coexistence of solar-energy conversion and plant cultivation. Int J Sol Energy. 1982;1(1):55–69. https://doi.org/10.1080/01425918208909875
  5. 5. Amaducci S, Yin X, Colauzzi M. Agrivoltaic systems to optimise land use for electric energy production. Appl Energy. 2018;220(4):545–61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.03.081
  6. 6. Proctor KW, Murthy GS, Higgins CW. Agrivoltaics align with Green New Deal goals while supporting investment in the US’ rural economy. Sustainability. 2020;13(1):2–11. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su13010137
  7. 7. Anusuya K, Vijayakumar K, Martin ML, Manikandan S. Agropho-tovoltaics: enhancing solar land use efficiency for energy food water nexus. Ren Energy Focus. 2024;100600. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ref.2024.100600
  8. 8. Weselek A, Bauerle A, Hartung J, Zikeli S, Lewandowski I, Hogy P. Agrivoltaic system impacts on microclimate and yield of different crops within an organic crop rotation in a temperate climate. Agron Sustain Dev. 2021;41(5):2–15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-021-00714-y
  9. 9. Yuan S, Zheng Z, Chen J, Lu X. Use of solar cell in electrokinetic remediation of cadmium-contaminated soil. J Hazard Mat. 2009;162(2-3):1583–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2008.06.038
  10. 10. Reddy KG, Deepak TG, Anjusree GS, Thomas S, Vadukumpully S, Subramanian KVR, et al. On global energy scenario, dye-sensitized solar cells and the promise of nanotechnology. Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2014;16(15):6838–58. https://doi.org/10.1039/C3CP55448A
  11. 11. Agbo EP, Edet CO, Magu TO, Njok AO, Ekpo CM, Louis H. Solar energy: A panacea for the electricity generation crisis in Nigeria. Heliyon. 2021;7(5):1–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07016
  12. 12. Song C, Guo Z, Liu Z, Hongyun Z, Liu R, Zhang H. Application of photovoltaics on different types of land in China: opportunities, status and challenges. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2024;191:114146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2023.114146
  13. 13. Toledo C, Scognamiglio A. Agrivoltaic systems design and as-sessment: A critical review, and a descriptive model towards a sustainable landscape vision (three-dimensional agrivoltaic patterns). Sustainability. 2021;13(12):1–38. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13126871
  14. 14. Cossu M, Tiloca MT, Cossu A, Deligios PA, Pala T, Ledda L. In-creasing the agricultural sustainability of closed agrivoltaic systems with the integration of vertical farming: A case study on baby-leaf lettuce. Appl Energy. 2023;344:1–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2023.121278
  15. 15. Chopdar RK, Sengar N, Giri NC, Halliday D. Comprehensive re-view on agrivoltaics with technical, environmental and societal insights. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2024;197:114416. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2024.114416
  16. 16. Semeraro T, Scarano A, Curci LM, Leggieri A, Lenucci M, Basset A, et al. Shading effects in agrivoltaic systems can make the difference in boosting food security in climate change. Appl Energy. 2024;15:358:122565. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14073095
  17. 17. Campana PE, Stridh B, Amaducci S, Colauzzi M. Optimisation of vertically mounted agrivoltaic systems. J Clean Prod. 2021;325:1–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.129091
  18. 18. Ramos-Fuentes IA, Elamri Y, Cheviron B, Dejean C, Belaud G, Fumey D. Effects of shade and deficit irrigation on maize growth and development in fixed and dynamic agrivoltaic systems. Agri Water Manag. 2023;280:1–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2023.108187
  19. 19. Kim S, Kim S, An K. An integrated multi-modeling framework to estimate potential rice and energy production under an agri-voltaic system. Comp Elect Agri. 2023;213:108157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2023.108157
  20. 20. Laub M, Pataczek L, Feuerbacher A, Zikeli S, Hogy P. Contrasting yield responses at varying levels of shade suggest different suit-ability of crops for dual land-use systems: A meta-analysis. Agron Sustain Dev. 2022;42(3):1–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-022-00783-7
  21. 21. Semchenko M, Lepik M, Cotzenberger L, Zobel K. Positive effect of shade on plant growth: amelioration of stress or active regu-lation of growth rate? J Ecol. 2012;100(2):459–66. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2745.2011.01936.x
  22. 22. Li L, Wang H. Editorial: shade avoidance syndrome in plants. Front Plant Sci. 2022;13:1–2. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.990982
  23. 23. Dinesh H, Pearce JM. The potential of agrivoltaic systems. Re-new Sustain Energy Rev. 2016;54:299–308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.10.024
  24. 24. Schweiger AH, Pataczek L. How to reconcile renewable energy and agricultural production in a drying world. PPP. 2023;5(5):650–61. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10371
  25. 25. Onwuka B, Mang BJ. Effects of soil temperature on some soil properties and plant growth. Adv Plants Agric Res. 2018;8(1):34–37. https://doi.org/10.15406/apar.2018.08.00288
  26. 26. Haskell DE, Flaspohler DJ, Webster CR, Meyer MW. Variation in soil temperature, moisture, and plant growth with the addition of downed woody material on lakeshore restoration sites. Restor Ecol. 2012;20(1):113–21. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1526-100X.2010.00730.x
  27. 27. Kingra PK, Kaur H. Microclimatic modifications to manage ex-treme weather vulnerability and climatic risks in crop produc-tion. J Agric Phys. 2017;17(1):1-5.
  28. 28. Marrou H, Guilioni L, Dufour L, Dupraz C, Wery J. Microclimate under agrivoltaic systems: is crop growth rate affected in the partial shade of solar panels. Agri For Met. 2013;177:117–32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2013.04.012
  29. 29. Marrou H, Dufour L, Wery J. How does a shelter of solar panels influence water flows in a soil–crop system?. Eur J Agron. 2013;50:38–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2013.05.004
  30. 30. Wu C, Liu H, Yu Y, Zhao W, Liu J, Yu H, et al. Ecohydrological effects of photovoltaic solar farms on soil microclimates and moisture regimes in arid Northwest China: A modeling study. Sci Total Environ. 2022;802(1):149946. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149946
  31. 31. Teng JW, Soh CB, Devihosur SC, Tay RH, Jusuf SK. Effects of agrivoltaic systems on the surrounding rooftop microclimate. Sustain. 2022;14(12):1–13. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14127089
  32. 32. Adeh EH, Selker JS, Higgins CW. Remarkable agrivoltaic influ-ence on soil moisture, micrometeorology and water-use effi-ciency. PLOS One. 2018;13(11):1–15. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0203256
  33. 33. Barron-Gafford GA, Pavao-Zuckerman MA, Minor RL, Sutter LF, Barnett-Moreno I, Blackett DT, et al. Agrivoltaics provide mutual benefits across the food–energy–water nexus in drylands. Na-ture Sustain. 2019;2(9):848–55. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-019-0364-5
  34. 34. Elamri Y, Cheviron B, Mange A, Dejean C, Liron F, Belaud G. Rain concentration and sheltering effect of solar panels on culti-vated plot. Hydrol Earth Sys Sci. 2018;22:1285–98. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-22-1285-2018
  35. 35. Santra P, Pand PC, Kumar S, Mishra D, Singh RK. Agri-voltaics or Solar farming: The concept of integrating solar PV based elec-tricity generation and crop production in a single land use sys-tem. Int J Renew Energy Res. 2017;7(2):695–99.
  36. 36. Agostini A, Colauzzi M, Amaducci S. Innovative agrivoltaic sys-tems to produce sustainable energy: An economic and environ-mental assessment. Appl Energy. 2021;281:116102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.116102
  37. 37. Widmer J, Christ B, Grenz J, Norgrove L. Agrivoltaics, a promis-ing new tool for electricity and food production: A systematic review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2024;192:114277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2023.114277
  38. 38. Armstrong A, Ostle NJ, Whitaker J. Solar park microclimate and vegetation management effects on grassland carbon cycling. Environ Res Lett. 2016;11(7):1–11. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2018.07.001
  39. 39. Gorjian S, Bousi E, Ozdemir OE, Trommsdorff M, Kumar NM, Anand A, et al. Progress and challenges of crop production and electricity generation in agrivoltaic systems using semi-transparent photovol-taic technology. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2022;158:112126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2022.112126
  40. 40. Dupraz C, Marrou H, Talbot G, Dufour L, Nogier A, Ferard Y. Com-bining solar photovoltaic panels and food crops for optimising land use: Towards new agrivoltaic schemes. Renew Energy. 2011;36:2725–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2011.03.005

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.