Articles
Implementing of semi-transparent organic photovoltaic modules in a tomato greenhouse
Article number
1426_33
Pages
235 – 242
Language
English
Abstract
This study examines the potential of using semi-transparent organic photovoltaic (OPV) modules in a greenhouse with a tomato crop to increase renewable energy production in agriculture.
The flexibility, potential for lower manufacturing and installation costs, the tunable spectrum of radiation transmission, and OPV recyclability make it a promising approach for integration in greenhouses.
The study was conducted with OPV modules installed above the canopy in a greenhouse of about 131 m2 floor area.
The total area of the modules was equal to 32.5 m2, about 25% of the ground area, and resulted in 20% shading.
The modules examined had about 30% transmittance, 15% reflectance, and 55% absorptance of solar radiation.
Most of the growing season, there was no statistically significant difference between the OPV greenhouse (OPVG) and a nearby control greenhouse with regard to air temperature and irradiance above the canopy.
Air humidity in the OPV was slightly lower than in the control greenhouse.
Plant growth rate and apparently canopy temperature in the OPVG were very similar to those in the control.
With the ‘Maggei’ and ‘Ikram’ cultivars of tomatoes, the accumulated yield was higher in the control greenhouse than in the OPVG by about 9-16% and 9%, respectively, on a seasonal basis.
The flexibility, potential for lower manufacturing and installation costs, the tunable spectrum of radiation transmission, and OPV recyclability make it a promising approach for integration in greenhouses.
The study was conducted with OPV modules installed above the canopy in a greenhouse of about 131 m2 floor area.
The total area of the modules was equal to 32.5 m2, about 25% of the ground area, and resulted in 20% shading.
The modules examined had about 30% transmittance, 15% reflectance, and 55% absorptance of solar radiation.
Most of the growing season, there was no statistically significant difference between the OPV greenhouse (OPVG) and a nearby control greenhouse with regard to air temperature and irradiance above the canopy.
Air humidity in the OPV was slightly lower than in the control greenhouse.
Plant growth rate and apparently canopy temperature in the OPVG were very similar to those in the control.
With the ‘Maggei’ and ‘Ikram’ cultivars of tomatoes, the accumulated yield was higher in the control greenhouse than in the OPVG by about 9-16% and 9%, respectively, on a seasonal basis.
Publication
Authors
H. Vitoshkin, M. Teitel, S. Ozer, A. Levi, R. Brikman, I. Yehia, E. Magadley, S. Gantz, R. Amir
Keywords
agrivoltaics, OPV greenhouse, solar spectral distribution, microclimate control
Groups involved
- Division Precision Horticulture and Engineering
- Division Greenhouse and Indoor Production Horticulture
- Working Group Nettings in Horticulture (subgroup of Protected Cultivation in Mild Winter Climates)
- Working Group Light in Horticulture
- Working Group Organic Greenhouse Horticulture
- Working Group Vegetable Grafting
- Working Group Modelling Plant Growth, Environmental Control, Greenhouse Environment
- Working Group Protected Cultivation, Nettings and Screens for Mild Climates
- Working Group Computational Fluid Dynamics in Agriculture
- Working Group Design and Automation in Integrated Indoor Production Systems
- Working Group Mechanization, Digitization, Sensing and Robotics
- Working Group Greenhouse Environment and Climate Control
- Division Landscape and Urban Horticulture
- Commission Agroecology and Organic Farming Systems
- Division Vegetables, Roots and Tubers
- Working Group Vertical Farming
Online Articles (75)