Dual-use Solar in the Pacific Northwest

This report updates readers on new research in dual-use solar and explores important considerations for the implementation of dual-use solar in the Pacific Northwest region. In the last few years, new findings suggest there are many environmental and economic benefits of creating multifunctional systems that combine and prioritize multiple land uses. New research of dual-use solar facilities shows increased yields in some crops and decreased water needs; benefits to grazing animals such as decreased heat stress; improved ecosystem services such as better water quality, erosion control, carbon storage, and pollination services; and further opportunities for dual-use implementation.

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Shading Analysis of Agrivoltaic Systems

This study aims to discover how lettuce and potato crops are impacted by the shade of photovoltaic (PV) panels. Four scenarios are considered, with varying parameters such as latitude, azimuth, slope, and row distance between PV modules. The results reveal a significant potential for growing potatoes under PV modules. However, lettuce faces difficulties due to its high requirement for solar intensity (PAR), making it less adaptable to shade. The findings of this study indicate that crops like potatoes, which have a lower requirement for PAR, can be successfully cultivated in conjunction with PV systems.

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Photovoltaic-thermal systems applications as dryer for agriculture sector: A review

This paper looks at the use of photovoltaic thermal air collectors (PV-T) and integrated greenhouse drying systems. It offers insights and data to aid scientists and researchers in the creation and improvement of thermal models for combined solar systems, and presents a detailed analysis of the current state of knowledge in the field of combined solar systems. It also identifies gaps in the existing research and suggests potential avenues for future investigation.

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Grapevine Growth and Berry Development under the Agrivoltaic Solar Panels in the Vineyards

This article presents a comparison of changes in vine growth and fruit characteristics due to the installation of solar panels in the vineyard. Researchers found that the development of vines and fruits was not significantly different, and that the post-harvest fruit showed no difference in granules, fruit discharge, sugar content, or pericarp color.

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Effects of shade and deficit irrigation on maize growth and development in fixed and dynamic Agrivoltaic systems

This study addresses the interplay between radiation transmission, crop development and irrigation needs of corn cropping in field conditions, by the description of crop development dynamics, distinguishing between fixed and dynamic panels. Researchers showed that maize crop responded to both independent and combined stresses (shade and water deficit), with a significant decrease in leaf area index, total dry matter and grain yield. Concerning water use, we showed the potential of AV to reduce irrigation inputs (by up to 19–47% compared to unshaded plots) via reduced soil water depletion and reference evapotranspiration.

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Agrivoltaics: The Environmental Impacts of Combining Food Crop Cultivation and Solar Energy Generation

In this study, a Consequential Life‐Cycle Assessment (CLCA) was conducted to holistically assess the environmental consequences arising from a shift from single‐use agriculture to agrivoltaic systems (AVS) in Germany. The results of the study show that the environmental consequences of the installation of overhead AVS on agricultural land are positive and reduce the impacts in 15 of the 16 analyzed impact categories.

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Delayed grape ripening by intermittent shading to counter global warming depends on carryover effects and water deficit conditions

This two-year study aimed to analyze whether intermittent shading produced by panels placed over grapevines can delay grape ripening to counter the impact of global warning on phenology. Researchers concluded that intermittent shading produced by panels can shift ripening into a cooler period compared to unshaded plants. They also state that shading intensity and duration should be adapted to evaporative and soil water conditions to benefit from the phenological delay caused by panels, without altering production in the long term.

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Price for covering cropland with an agrivoltaic system: PV panels replacing shading nets in Chilean blueberry cultivation

Researchers analyzed and compared the costs for an agrivoltaic system with the cost of plastic covers for blueberry crops in Chile. They also introduce a metric to calculate the price for covering cropland with an agrivoltaic system.

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Development and Experiments on a Batch-Type Solar Roaster—An Innovative Decentralized System for Coffee Roasting

This research was conducted to investigate the roasting capacity of a batch-type directly solar radiated roasting system for the decentralized processing of coffee using solar energy. Experimental results revealed that the roaster was capable of roasting a batch of 2 kg coffee beans in 20, 23, and 25 minutes subjected to light roasts, medium roasts, and dark roasts, respectively. The payback period of the solar roaster unit was estimated to be 1038 working sunshine hours, making it viable for commercialization.

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Design of a Solar Coffee Roaster for Rural Areas

This research details the design of a solar coffee roaster in rural Peru, and presents the result of experimental roasts. Researchers also discuss future improvements that could be made to the design.

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