What are the considerations for agrivoltaic system?

Nowadays, the number of innovative solutions for implementing PV while reducing the related land use are becoming increasing relevant. The agrivoltaic system is characterized by combined production of photovoltaic power and agricultural crops on the same area. It represents a strategic part of the future vision, with huge potential driven by the growing shift towards renewable energy sources. Coexistence of solar panels and crops involves light sharing so that panels placed above part of the crop generate shade and create a kind of microclimate over the growing area. So let’s go through the following considerations when go for a agrivoltaic system.

Suitable crops

Considering the crop’s preference for light, it is best to ask agricultural experts to conduct on-site inspections and conduct professional analysis before the construction process to determine whether the crops are suitable for planting. Generally, you should choose shade-loving crops, because if it is a sun-loving crops, the solar modules installed on the top of plants can reduce the radiation intensity to a certain extent, which will affect the growth of crops, and then affect the yield of crops.

Otherwise, you can consider using light-transmitting solar panels for sun-loving crops to ensure that the plants can receive the amount of radiation normally.

Estimation the impact of crops and photovoltaic power plants

Some crops have adverse effects on the structural and equipment of photovoltaic power plants, such as the adverse effects of corrosion on the steel structure, and the adverse effects of high humidity in the greenhouse on photovoltaic modules, junction boxes, cables, bridges, combing boxes and other equipments. Therefore, choosing a suitable solar bracket material is also of vital importance for most agricultural and photovoltaic power stations.

Attentions for solar racking designing

When designing and building an Agrivoltaic power plant, accounts should be taken of the agricultural activity and its requirements. The solar panels should be mounted on stilts with 2.5m off the ground at least to allow for the in and out of mechanical equipments. Considering the effect of shade created by PV modules on the plant growth, the solar racking should be designed with a certain density of solar panels according the required transmittance. Besides, in order to get maximum power generation, the solar panels always have to be set at a tilt angle with triangle solar bracket.

On the other hand, the selection of the material for solar structure also needs to be taken into consideration. For example, the presence of alkaline substances such as fertilization in agricultural breeding requires an efficient corrosion-resistant solar bracket structure to ensure the reliability of the system. Therefore, aluminum alloy brackets are often selected as the structure.

Antaisolar has vast experience at providing solar structure for agrivoltaic plants, which is widely applied at home and aboard.

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