Articles
Installation of an agrivoltaic system influences microclimatic conditions and leaf gas exchange in cranberry
Article number
1337_16
Pages
117 – 124
Language
English
Abstract
Agrivoltaic systems utilize the same area for both solar power generation and agricultural production.
Our goal was to conduct a preliminary study to look at the changes in microclimatic conditions, plant ecophysiology, fruit quality, and yield under a cranberry agrivoltaic system.
The study was conducted on a Stevens cranberry bog in Carver, Massachusetts, USA. Two treatments were evaluated, an uncovered control area and a replica agrivoltaic system with three prototype solar arrays made out of plywood in a north-south orientation that mimicked a solar tracking system.
The solar arrays were spaced 3.5 m apart, 6.0 m in length, and 1.5 m wide at a height of 3.0 m above the plant canopy.
Microclimatic sensors were installed under solar arrays, between solar arrays, and in the uncovered control.
Seasonally accumulated photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was reduced by 41% under solar arrays and 29% between solar arrays compared to the control.
On a clear sunny day, net carbon assimilation was reduced under the solar arrays at mid-day (12:30) and between solar arrays at mid-morning (09:46) and mid-afternoon (15:46) compared to the uncovered control.
On a hot day (max temperature 30.9°C), canopy temperature was reduced by 3.5°C under the solar panels at mid-day and 3.0°C between solar arrays at mid-afternoon.
Volumetric soil water content was increased under solar arrays and between solar arrays compared to the uncovered control.
Leaf wetness was reduced under solar arrays and between solar arrays compared to the uncovered control.
Fruit color measured as total anthocyanin content was not affected by the installation of an agrivoltaic system.
Titratable acidity was reduced under the agrivoltaic system, in contrast, total soluble solids were increased.
Our goal was to conduct a preliminary study to look at the changes in microclimatic conditions, plant ecophysiology, fruit quality, and yield under a cranberry agrivoltaic system.
The study was conducted on a Stevens cranberry bog in Carver, Massachusetts, USA. Two treatments were evaluated, an uncovered control area and a replica agrivoltaic system with three prototype solar arrays made out of plywood in a north-south orientation that mimicked a solar tracking system.
The solar arrays were spaced 3.5 m apart, 6.0 m in length, and 1.5 m wide at a height of 3.0 m above the plant canopy.
Microclimatic sensors were installed under solar arrays, between solar arrays, and in the uncovered control.
Seasonally accumulated photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was reduced by 41% under solar arrays and 29% between solar arrays compared to the control.
On a clear sunny day, net carbon assimilation was reduced under the solar arrays at mid-day (12:30) and between solar arrays at mid-morning (09:46) and mid-afternoon (15:46) compared to the uncovered control.
On a hot day (max temperature 30.9°C), canopy temperature was reduced by 3.5°C under the solar panels at mid-day and 3.0°C between solar arrays at mid-afternoon.
Volumetric soil water content was increased under solar arrays and between solar arrays compared to the uncovered control.
Leaf wetness was reduced under solar arrays and between solar arrays compared to the uncovered control.
Fruit color measured as total anthocyanin content was not affected by the installation of an agrivoltaic system.
Titratable acidity was reduced under the agrivoltaic system, in contrast, total soluble solids were increased.
Authors
G. Mupambi, H.A. Sandler, P. Jeranyama
Keywords
canopy temperature, fruit quality, leaf wetness, photosynthetically active radiation
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