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A Validated Model, Scalability, and Plant Growth Results for an Agrivoltaic Greenhouse

Author

Listed:
  • Michael E. Evans

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Villanova University, Villanova, PA 19085, USA)

  • J. Adam Langley

    (Department of Biology, Center for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Stewardship, Villanova University, Villanova, PA 19085, USA)

  • Finley R. Shapiro

    (Department of Engineering Leadership and Society, Drexel University, 3141 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA)

  • Gerard F. Jones

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Villanova University, Villanova, PA 19085, USA)

Abstract

We developed an agrivoltaic greenhouse (a ‘test cell’) that partially trapped waste heat from two photovoltaic (PV) panels. These panels served as parts of the roof of the enclosure to extend the growing season. Relative humidity, internal air temperature, incident solar radiation, wind speed, and wind direction were measured for one year. A locally 1-D transient heat and moisture transport model, as well as a shadowing model, was developed and validated with experimental data. The models were used to investigate the effects of altering various parameters of the greenhouse in a scalability study. The design kept test cell air temperatures generally above ambient throughout the year, with the test cell temperature below freezing for 36% less of the year than ambient. Plant growth experiments showed that kale, Brassica oleraceae , a shade-tolerant plant, can be grown within the test cell throughout the winter. The simulations showed that enlarging the greenhouse will increase cell air temperatures but that powering an electric load from the PV panels will reduce cell air temperatures.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael E. Evans & J. Adam Langley & Finley R. Shapiro & Gerard F. Jones, 2022. "A Validated Model, Scalability, and Plant Growth Results for an Agrivoltaic Greenhouse," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-34, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:10:p:6154-:d:818787
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cossu, Marco & Murgia, Lelia & Ledda, Luigi & Deligios, Paola A. & Sirigu, Antonella & Chessa, Francesco & Pazzona, Antonio, 2014. "Solar radiation distribution inside a greenhouse with south-oriented photovoltaic roofs and effects on crop productivity," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 89-100.
    2. Abdel-Ghany, A.M. & Al-Helal, I.M., 2011. "Solar energy utilization by a greenhouse: General relations," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(1), pages 189-196.
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    Cited by:

    1. 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).
    2. Varo-Martínez, M. & Fernández-Ahumada, L.M. & Ramírez-Faz, J.C. & Ruiz-Jiménez, R. & López-Luque, R., 2024. "Methodology for the estimation of cultivable space in photovoltaic installations with dual-axis trackers for their reconversion to agrivoltaic plants," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 361(C).
    3. 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.

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