IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v17y2024i17p4440-d1471365.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Agri-PV (Agrivoltaics) in Developing Countries: Advancing Sustainable Farming to Address the Water–Energy–Food Nexus

Author

Listed:
  • Kedar Mehta

    (Institute of new Energy Systems, Technische Hochschule, 85049 Ingolstadt, Germany)

  • Meeth Jeetendra Shah

    (Institute of new Energy Systems, Technische Hochschule, 85049 Ingolstadt, Germany)

  • Wilfried Zörner

    (Institute of new Energy Systems, Technische Hochschule, 85049 Ingolstadt, Germany)

Abstract

The escalating demand for water, energy, and food, coupled with the imperative for sustainable development, necessitates innovative solutions to address the complex interdependencies within the water–energy–food nexus. In this context, agriculture and photovoltaics (Agri-PV or Agri–voltaics) systems have emerged as a promising approach to promoting sustainable agricultural practices while enhancing energy efficiency and food production. However, limited research, especially on the technical aspects of Agri-PV, has resulted in a knowledge gap regarding how to model and determine the suitability of Agri-PV for different crops based on local conditions. This study presents a novel approach to modeling and simulating Agri-PV systems for various major crops in developing countries, using Uzbekistan as a case study. It provides a blueprint for selecting suitable Agri-PV systems. The research investigates the technical feasibility of Agri-PV technology tailored to Uzbekistan’s agricultural landscape, with broader implications for Central Asia. Employing a systematic methodology, the study begins by selecting appropriate sites and crops for Agri-PV system testing, ensuring the relevance and applicability of the research findings to the local context. Using advanced software tools such as PVSyst, the study accurately calculates photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) values specific to selected crops, bridging a significant knowledge gap and providing empirical data essential for informed decision making. The methodology further incorporates an in-depth analysis of economic and technical considerations in selecting PV modules and inverters, enhancing the scientific accuracy of the study. By strategically modeling Agri-PV systems based on parameters like row density, module distance, and tilt angle, this research aims to optimize the integration of photovoltaic technology with agricultural practices in Uzbekistan. Moreover, this study helps to understand the impact of Agri-PV systems on the water–energy–food nexus, providing valuable insights into the potential benefits and challenges specific to the region. The study identifies the positive impact of Agri-PV on major crops and provides a suitable design and modeling approach for sustainable farming practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Kedar Mehta & Meeth Jeetendra Shah & Wilfried Zörner, 2024. "Agri-PV (Agrivoltaics) in Developing Countries: Advancing Sustainable Farming to Address the Water–Energy–Food Nexus," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-23, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:17:p:4440-:d:1471365
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/17/4440/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/17/4440/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mamun, Mohammad Abdullah Al & Dargusch, Paul & Wadley, David & Zulkarnain, Noor Azwa & Aziz, Ammar Abdul, 2022. "A review of research on agrivoltaic systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    2. Lee, Sangik & Lee, Jong-hyuk & Jeong, Youngjoon & Kim, Dongsu & Seo, Byung-hun & Seo, Ye-jin & Kim, Taejin & Choi, Won, 2023. "Agrivoltaic system designing for sustainability and smart farming: Agronomic aspects and design criteria with safety assessment," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 341(C).
    3. Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe & Senzanje, A. & Modi, A. & Jewitt, G. & Massawe, F., 2022. "Water - energy - food nexus narratives and resource securities: a global south perspective," Book Chapters,, International Water Management Institute.
    4. Schindele, Stephan & Trommsdorff, Maximilian & Schlaak, Albert & Obergfell, Tabea & Bopp, Georg & Reise, Christian & Braun, Christian & Weselek, Axel & Bauerle, Andrea & Högy, Petra & Goetzberger, Ado, 2020. "Implementation of agrophotovoltaics: Techno-economic analysis of the price-performance ratio and its policy implications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    5. Carlos Toledo & Alessandra Scognamiglio, 2021. "Agrivoltaic Systems Design and Assessment: A Critical Review, and a Descriptive Model towards a Sustainable Landscape Vision (Three-Dimensional Agrivoltaic Patterns)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-38, June.
    6. Aidana Chalgynbayeva & Zoltán Gabnai & Péter Lengyel & Albiona Pestisha & Attila Bai, 2023. "Worldwide Research Trends in Agrivoltaic Systems—A Bibliometric Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-25, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Grazia Disciglio & Laura Frabboni & Annalisa Tarantino & Antonio Stasi, 2023. "Association between Dynamic Agrivoltaic System and Cultivation: Viability, Yields and Qualitative Assessment of Medical Plants," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-13, November.
    2. Chopdar, R.K. & Sengar, N. & Giri, Nimay Chandra & Halliday, D., 2024. "Comprehensive review on agrivoltaics with technical, environmental and societal insights," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    3. Cuppari, Rosa Isabella & Branscomb, Allan & Graham, Maggie & Negash, Fikeremariam & Smith, Angelique Kidd & Proctor, Kyle & Rupp, David & Tilahun Ayalew, Abiyou & Getaneh Tilaye, Gizaw & Higgins, Chad, 2024. "Agrivoltaics: Synergies and trade-offs in achieving the sustainable development goals at the global and local scale," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 362(C).
    4. Sirnik, I. & Sluijsmans, J. & Oudes, D. & Stremke, S., 2023. "Circularity and landscape experience of agrivoltaics: A systematic review of literature and built systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    5. Aikaterini Roxani & Athanasios Zisos & Georgia-Konstantina Sakki & Andreas Efstratiadis, 2023. "Multidimensional Role of Agrovoltaics in Era of EU Green Deal: Current Status and Analysis of Water–Energy–Food–Land Dependencies," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-20, May.
    6. Aidana Chalgynbayeva & Tamás Mizik & Attila Bai, 2022. "Cost–Benefit Analysis of Kaposvár Solar Photovoltaic Park Considering Agrivoltaic Systems," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-17, October.
    7. Alexander V. Klokov & Egor Yu. Loktionov & Yuri V. Loktionov & Vladimir A. Panchenko & Elizaveta S. Sharaborova, 2023. "A Mini-Review of Current Activities and Future Trends in Agrivoltaics," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-18, March.
    8. Lingjun Wang & Jian Chen, 2024. "Economic and Social Benefits of Aquavoltaics: A Case Study from Jiangsu, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-17, October.
    9. Gonocruz, Ruth Anne Tanlioco & Yoshida, Yoshikuni & Ozawa, Akito & Aguirre, Rodolfo A. & Maguindayao, Edward Joseph H., 2023. "Impacts of agrivoltaics in rural electrification and decarbonization in the Philippines," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 350(C).
    10. Daniel Matulić & Željko Andabaka & Sanja Radman & Goran Fruk & Josip Leto & Jakša Rošin & Mirta Rastija & Ivana Varga & Tea Tomljanović & Hrvoje Čeprnja & Marko Karoglan, 2023. "Agrivoltaics and Aquavoltaics: Potential of Solar Energy Use in Agriculture and Freshwater Aquaculture in Croatia," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-26, July.
    11. Kim, Sumin & Kim, Sojung, 2023. "Optimization of the design of an agrophotovoltaic system in future climate conditions in South Korea," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 928-938.
    12. Widmer, J. & Christ, B. & Grenz, J. & Norgrove, L., 2024. "Agrivoltaics, a promising new tool for electricity and food production: A systematic review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    13. Grubbs, E.K. & Gruss, S.M. & Schull, V.Z. & Gosney, M.J. & Mickelbart, M.V. & Brouder, S. & Gitau, M.W. & Bermel, P. & Tuinstra, M.R. & Agrawal, R., 2024. "Optimized agrivoltaic tracking for nearly-full commodity crop and energy production," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    14. Daisuke Yajima & Teruya Toyoda & Masaaki Kirimura & Kenji Araki & Yasuyuki Ota & Kensuke Nishioka, 2023. "Estimation Model of Agrivoltaic Systems Maximizing for Both Photovoltaic Electricity Generation and Agricultural Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-16, April.
    15. Gorjian, Shiva & Jalili Jamshidian, Farid & Gorjian, Alireza & Faridi, Hamideh & Vafaei, Mohammad & Zhang, Fangxin & Liu, Wen & Elia Campana, Pietro, 2023. "Technological advancements and research prospects of innovative concentrating agrivoltaics," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 337(C).
    16. Girolamo Di Francia & Paolo Cupo, 2023. "A Cost–Benefit Analysis for Utility-Scale Agrivoltaic Implementation in Italy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-19, March.
    17. Semeraro, Teodoro & Scarano, Aurelia & Curci, Lorenzo Maria & Leggieri, Angelo & Lenucci, Marcello & Basset, Alberto & Santino, Angelo & Piro, Gabriella & De Caroli, Monica, 2024. "Shading effects in agrivoltaic systems can make the difference in boosting food security in climate change," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 358(C).
    18. Yusra Hasan & William David Lubitz, 2024. "A Sustainable Agri-Photovoltaic Greenhouse for Lettuce Production in Qatar," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-22, October.
    19. Sirnik, Igor & Oudes, Dirk & Stremke, Sven, 2024. "Agrivoltaics and landscape change: First evidence from built cases in the Netherlands," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    20. Aidana Chalgynbayeva & Péter Balogh & László Szőllősi & Zoltán Gabnai & Ferenc Apáti & Marianna Sipos & Attila Bai, 2024. "The Economic Potential of Agrivoltaic Systems in Apple Cultivation—A Hungarian Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-34, March.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:17:p:4440-:d:1471365. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.