Technologic, Biological and Economic analysis of a dynamic agrivoltaic system in the Dutch agriculture sector.

Abstract

Agrivoltaic systems combine agricultural land and the generation of photovoltaic energy. Currently only static agrivoltaic systems are investigated. However, these static systems offer less freedom for farmers to carry out their daily working activities. This research looks at a dynamic agrivoltaic system which moves across the crop plot. The movement of this system is modelled in 3D software on 50x100m field. The 3D-modelling software provides the possibility to simulate the insolation for photosynthesis for 5 different PV-scenarios. The PV-scenarios vary in size from 10% of the plot to 50% which results in an annual average decrease in insolation in the range of 6.81% – 31.1 % respectively. Potato, Sugar Beet and Wheat have been selected because these are widely cultivated in the Netherlands. Additionally, lettuce is added for comparison to static systems because existing agrivoltaic literature primarily included this crop. The accompanied yield of these 4 crops are addressed by the RUE method and qualitatively by incorporating other research which included the combination of shading scenarios and crop yield. In all cases, it seems that the RUE method results in the lowest crop revenues. The more qualitative approach seemed more in line with the actual crop yield and the literature. Lettuce proved to be the most shade tolerant of the crops. However, in nearly all cases the crops are little affected by the PV-scenarios. This ensured that the combination of electricity and crop revenues resulted in a higher Land Equivalent Ratio (1.1 – 1.6) and positive NPVs . Future research should focus on 3D-simulation software which combines movement and insolation. Furthermore, the crop yield under a dynamic system should also be further investigated to increase the reliability data for the Netherlands. Nevertheless, the results suggest that a dynamic agrivoltaic system can enhance land efficiency, increase revenues of both electricity and crops while the farmer can carry out its daily activities. With an increasing pressure on fertile land and relatively high revenues from photovoltaic energy, dynamic agrivoltaics can offer a viable solution.