The latest research projects by Dr. E Thompson (University of Greenwich), the Photovoltaics Company Polysolar and Hugh Lowe Farms in Kent have examined the potential for British soft -fruit farms at the same time using solar energy at the same time and at the same time produced high -quality plants. Due to the retrofitting semi-transparent photovoltaic materials according to Glashousen and poly tunnels, the projects have shown how the production of solar energy and the crop production can successfully coexist on the same property-without efforts through new structures.
This approach has the potential to improve sustainability, reduce land requirements and reduce agricultural costs – and the project has sparked a considerable interest, with large breeders and supermarkets visiting the systems.
As part of the project, the University of Greenwich team also evaluates how the use of various color-tasted (semi-transparent) GLA solar modules affects the growth of plants, since these separator wave lengths for plant photosynthesis or power generation. This work continues for many years of collaboration with other academic photosynthesis researchers after their pilot study via Blattgrüns.
Research methodology and BF5 sensor
Much of the team research is carried out in Hugh Lowe Farms (Fig. 1.) – a prominent commercial soft fruit breeder in Kent. For the project, British Company Polysolar Ltd. Special material for special -agritech -solar panel selected. After successful experiments of the installations, the poly tunnel photovoltaics are installed and moved as required by farm staff.
Poly tunnels are retrofitted with long narrow strips of flexible PV material above the curvature of the roof – at intervals over the length of the housing (Fig. 2.). The team experimented with different patterns of the PV strip and the interval widths for tailor -made shade patterns.
Commercial plants are cultivated at several poly tunnel locations, where an important research goal is to identify all effects from PV materials (and the shadow they manufacture) on growth, health and yield of plants.
The BF5 Sunshine sensor of Delta-T devices plays a crucial role in the exact evaluation of the amount of solar radiation, which penetrates into the poly tunnel in direct areas, which are shaded directly by the tinted PV strips and untried areas.
The data enables the research team to compare the plant growth properties with the amount and quality of the light quality that the test areas for the agrivoltaic plants reach.
The BF5 (Fig. 3.) is a compact, moving instrument that can measure both direct and diffuse solar radiation and which can be easily repositioned in order to meet the needs of the experiment.
The team used two BF5 sensors at the location to record reliable measurements of the solar radiation every day.
A BF5 is in an unpaid area in the poly tunnel and one is located in a photovoltaics-shaded zone. This approach enables the team to generate absolute radiation measurements and to calculate the differences in the light levels that achieve the harvesting systems via the PV cavalies and non-PV cavales of the poly tunnel-see Fig. 1 and 2. 4, 6 and 7, for example-all day.
Hand lamp meters are also used in several strategic positions within and externally to make spot measurements, for example, Fig. 5, for example.
The electricity generated by the PV panels is fed into a large battery in which it can meet the various electricity needs from the exercise of irrigation, electric vehicles or robot systems.
So far
Retrofitting of solar collectors
“The retrofitting of panels into existing buildings is more cost -effective than creating new structures from the ground up. This approach also maximizes land use by creating both plants and electricity instead of using valuable agricultural land for dedicated solar systems. In our experiments, all photovoltaic systems are recalculated to the latest greenhouse and poly tunnel structures.”
Panels' environmental influences on plants
“The shadow provided by Panels has already been proposed to improve the efficiency of water consumption for protected harvesting systems. During the summer, soft fruits can even suffer too much direct sunlight, and plant usually have a excess of light for photosynthesis, even in Great Britain. its surroundings.
We notice changes in photosynthesis on a molecular level. The colored shadow causes differences in particular according to the harvest type, as has already been reported, as was already reported by colored LED lighting. We actively examine how useful changes in the crop nutrition in these tinted glass systems can be checked and evaluate which plants are most compatible.
Some cultures thrive in the shade, while others may not be suitable for this system. “
Volume of energy generation
“The energy yield from flexible panels depends on the area of the roof, the arrangement of which was influenced by the selection of the harvest.
The effect of tinted solar collectors
“Our tinted semi-transparent photovoltaic plates enable more orange and red parts of the light spectrum to reach the plants, while the blue wave lengths are converted into electricity. In our previous project, we have discovered higher protein mirrors under high red light ratios, which examine these effects on a wider area of the cols and the measurement of the solar yields.”
The advantages of this type of energy generation system
“The system offers financial benefits by generating energy that can be sold to the network in order to compensate for the electricity consumption of the farm or to support the operation of an electrically powered automation. We are currently evaluating the potential of the energy drive of the agrivoltaic system to reduce power consumption, with further findings coming as project advances.
The energy requirement fluctuates all year round. In summer, farm and solar work with full capacity and supply the water pumps, UV treatment and the selection of robots, country maintenance kit as well as other vehicles and machines. “
Use the BF5 sunshine sensor
“The BF5 seamlessly provided us with the reliable solar radiation data that we have to carry out this research. Its measured values are crucial to expand what is possible with a hand knife-and the robust compact form factor makes it quick and easy to position at strategic points.”
For more information:
Delta-T devices
Dominic Cahalin, Marcoms coordinator
130 Low RD, Burwell, Cambridge, CB25 0EJ UK
[email protected]
www.delta-t.co.uk