Food, Energy, and Health Implications of Agrivolgtaic Farms

Abstract/Summary:

The societal benefits of agrivoltaics are well supported, with ample empirical evidence for their suitability for collocated energy generation, crop cultivation, and water savings, even for staple crops. What is lacking is a holistic modeling framework to design and optimize AV systems for specific crop types, micro-environments, and panel configurations. To this end, a multiphysics model that solves momentum, energy, and mass exchanges among interacting components, and determines the implications of AV on photosynthesis, power generation, and worker thermal comfort, is introduced. The model is tested against field data from California, and Minnesota. Its applications are illustrated for a representative AV scenario using weather data from central New Jersey, showcasing the multifaceted benefits of AV for a tomato farm under photovoltaic panels. In this scenario, the model predicts a 5.6 °C reduction in average daytime panel temperature (compared to a regular PV installation), reducing overheating-related energy losses by 15.2%. Despite a 47% reduction in light for the setup modeled here, net carbon assimilation declined only by 31%. Daytime crop leaf temperature declined by 1.84 degC, and these reductions o set some of the decline in carbon assimilation. Another benefit is the reduction in transpiration losses by 22.4% compared to an open crop  field. Finally, the average perceived temperature experienced by workers improves by approximately 5.2 degC during working hours. While these are illustrative results for a particular crop and climate, they demonstrate how the model enables integrated assessment and optimization of agrivoltaic bene ts across varying climates, crops, and PV technologies.