Articles
Engineering hortivoltaic systems for solar-protected berry crops
Article number
1457_80
Pages
639 – 646
Language
English
Abstract
As demand for sustainable farming grows, integrating renewable energy into agriculture offers a viable solution.
This study combines horticulture and engineering to develop hortivoltaic systems for solar-shaded berry crops, aiming to achieve efficient resource use and enhanced productivity.
Semi-transparent panels with real-time soil and climate monitoring enhance land efficiency and reduce the footprint of farming.
Key engineering aspects include strong support structures, effective shading, and integrated monitoring for data-driven control.
In June 2023, the first Romanian hortivoltaic pilot was launched at Moara Domnească (FRDS Băneasa), testing semi-transparent PV panels (≈ with transmittance of approximately 49 and 77%) against an uncovered control.
The pilot system (0.0125 ha, 9 kWp) was designed to assess its effects on strawberry growth, yield, and quality while simultaneously generating renewable energy.
Microclimate was monitored with an IoT sensor network (air and soil temperature, humidity, PAR); due to pilot constraints, only one sensor set per treatment was deployed, so results are descriptive, while yield and fruit quality were replicated at the subplot level.
Shading reduced midday soil and air temperature by ~5°C and increased soil moisture compared to the control, alleviating heat stress without lowering yields under moderate shading (49% transmittance). These findings underline the importance of design parameters NDASH panel transparency, orientation, and edge effects NDASH and provide preliminary guidance for sustainable hortivoltaic systems.
This study combines horticulture and engineering to develop hortivoltaic systems for solar-shaded berry crops, aiming to achieve efficient resource use and enhanced productivity.
Semi-transparent panels with real-time soil and climate monitoring enhance land efficiency and reduce the footprint of farming.
Key engineering aspects include strong support structures, effective shading, and integrated monitoring for data-driven control.
In June 2023, the first Romanian hortivoltaic pilot was launched at Moara Domnească (FRDS Băneasa), testing semi-transparent PV panels (≈ with transmittance of approximately 49 and 77%) against an uncovered control.
The pilot system (0.0125 ha, 9 kWp) was designed to assess its effects on strawberry growth, yield, and quality while simultaneously generating renewable energy.
Microclimate was monitored with an IoT sensor network (air and soil temperature, humidity, PAR); due to pilot constraints, only one sensor set per treatment was deployed, so results are descriptive, while yield and fruit quality were replicated at the subplot level.
Shading reduced midday soil and air temperature by ~5°C and increased soil moisture compared to the control, alleviating heat stress without lowering yields under moderate shading (49% transmittance). These findings underline the importance of design parameters NDASH panel transparency, orientation, and edge effects NDASH and provide preliminary guidance for sustainable hortivoltaic systems.
Publication
Authors
D. Dragomir, D.V. Ofrim, C.V. Oltenacu, C. Calinita, B.A. Ofrim, D.M. Ofrim, M.I. Ofrim
Keywords
agrophotovoltaic, agrivoltaics, solar energy, shadow, berry crops, crop performance, strawberry
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