Scientists have grown strawberries under thin film Cadmium Telluride panels with different transparency. They discovered that 40% transparency maintained a yield of more than 80% of uncovered plants. If all the strawberry farms in the world were converted into Agrivoltaics, they would produce until 173 TWH per year.
Researchers from the Western University of Canada have tested the growth of Delizz -with PV panels with different levels of transparency.
They built a replica of the outside conditions of London, Ontario, and then measured the fresh weight of the strawberries, plant height, leaf count and flower count. Moreover, they have also calculated that the amount of strawberry -caivoltaics in Canada can produce worldwide.
“The aim of this study was to assess the impact of varying PV transparency on the strawberry yield and growth under thin film Cadmium Telluride (CD-TE) modules and to evaluate the potential of Agrivoltaïschen as a sustainable solution for strawberry production in northern climates , ‘The accompanying author, Uzair Jamil, said PV -Magazine. “In particular, this is the first strawberry-agroltaic study that estimates the strawberry yields under northern climates using CD-TE PV modules.”
The controlled room that the team designed consisted of 16 hours of daylight and 8 hours of darkness cycle. The temperature during the day was maintained at 25 ° C, while nocturnal temperatures were stored at 19 ° C, which reflects the average summer climate in London from May to August. Four 600 W high pressure sodium (HPS) lamps were used to improve natural lighting.
All PV panels had the same measurements: a length of 1,200 mm, width of 600 mm and thickness of 7 mm. They differed in their transparency level and therefore in their maximum assessed force. The panel with 10% had a capacity of 72 W, the 30% transparency had 56 W and the 40% had 58 W. Panels with transparencies of 50%, 60%, 70% and 80% had a nominal maximum power of 40 W , 32 W, 24 W and 16 W, respectively.
“Six replicates of strawberry plants were grown under each module, while eight replicates were grown without modules to serve as checks, all planted in 3.8 L pots,” the group explained. “Both the experimental and the control groups were housed within the same biom. The growth medium for all plants was Promix BX soil. “
Image: Western University, Solar Energy, CC by 4.0
The experiment started on February 20, 2024; Data was collected in 112 days. According to the results, the average fresh weight of the control -strawberries was up to 50.8 g. The 10% transparency module had under a new weight of up to 9.5 g, the 30% had 15 g, the 40% had 25.5 g, the 50% had 20 g, the 60% equipped with 19.5 g, the 70% with 51.7 g and the 80% transparency had an average fresh weight of 30.7 g.
“The results indicate that strawberries that were grown under 70% transparency PV modules showed a new weight 140.6% of the average check,” the group said. “In addition, the yields of more than 80% of the control were observed by 40%, 50% and 80% transparent PV modules, making their implementation legal for areas that have agrivoltaic policy based on maintaining a yield of more Then 80%. ‘
Based on their data, the academics have carried out a statistical analysis that proved that the transparency percentage influences the growth yield. This analysis found a strong positive correlation between the measured photosynthetically active radiation (par) and the fresh weight of strawberry, with Pearson’s correlation coefficient (R) of 0.693. Par stands for the part of the light that plants use for photosynthesis.
In addition, the researchers used their results and the System Advisor Model (SAM) software to estimate the potential of electricity generation of strawberry agrivoltaic farms in Canada and worldwide. They discovered that the Canadian potential ranges every year between 595 GWH and 1,786 GWH, depending on the transparency level of the modules. That will result in a CO2 emission reduction of 65 kilotones (KT) to 196 kt per year. On a global scale, the electricity potential of strawberry fields varies between 58 TWH and 173 TWH, and the CO2 reduction is between 27 MT and 82 MT per year.
“The approval of the Agrivoltaician in the Canadian strawberry sector can facilitate energy-self-provision and transform into a net electricity expansion, which means that extra income for farmers generate,” concluded the team. “These findings emphasize the substantial benefits of Agrivoltaïschens, including improved agricultural productivity, considerably clean energy generation, increased farmers’ income and lower food prices.”
Their findings were presented in “Experimental effects of transparency on strawberry -caivoltaics using thin film photovoltaic modules under few lighting conditions“Published in Solar energy.
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