Shade and Light Modeling for Agrivoltaic Systems- With Focus on Single-Axis Agrivoltaic Systems
(2024) In Master's Theses in Mathematical Sciences MASM02 20232Mathematical Statistics
- Abstract
- Global population growth presents challenges to sustainable food and energy produc- tion. Transitioning to renewable energy sources, like solar power, requires significant land allocations, conflicting with the need for arable farmland. Agrivoltaics (AV) offers a potential solution by integrating crops and solar panels on the same land. Ensuring consistent and adequate agricultural output alongside energy production becomes crucial with AV system implementation. Therefore, it is important to eval- uate the effects of shading from photovoltaic (PV) systems on crop yield and to optimize the design of AV systems for maximum agricultural productivity and en- ergy generation. This project aims to develop a model for simulation of the shade on... (More)
- Global population growth presents challenges to sustainable food and energy produc- tion. Transitioning to renewable energy sources, like solar power, requires significant land allocations, conflicting with the need for arable farmland. Agrivoltaics (AV) offers a potential solution by integrating crops and solar panels on the same land. Ensuring consistent and adequate agricultural output alongside energy production becomes crucial with AV system implementation. Therefore, it is important to eval- uate the effects of shading from photovoltaic (PV) systems on crop yield and to optimize the design of AV systems for maximum agricultural productivity and en- ergy generation. This project aims to develop a model for simulation of the shade on the ground caused by the photovoltaic structure on the field, focusing on PV systems with single-axis tracking. The model enables the evaluation of the distri- bution of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) at crop level, essential for crop growth. Given the lack of PAR measurements for many potential agriPV sites, we employ simple regression models to estimate PAR from readily available solar radia- tion data. The total solar radiation is divided into its diffuse and direct components, with a shading factor methodology used to determine the amount of each type of radiation reaching the ground in the AV system. These shading factors represent the proportion of reduction in each radiation component. This process involves using a three-dimensional model to simulate, at each time step, the precise shape and area of the shadows cast on the ground by the PV system. The model accurately simulates shading between rows of PV panels in AV systems, allowing computation of received light considering shading effects. By dividing the area into a grid and calculating shading factors for each cell separately, we assess shade and light distribution on the ground. Extending the model designed for single-axis tracker AV systems, our methodology can assess shading effects in systems with fixed tilt or two-axis trackers, underscoring its adaptability across different AV system types. Preliminary results from the model indicate that the amount of light and shading received at crop level
in AV systems, depend on both system design and geographic location. Additionally, the analysis of shading distribution between rows of solar panels reveals how crops experience varying degrees of radiation reduction in different areas between the pan- els. Furthermore, for more accurate estimation of available PAR, employing models adjusted to local weather conditions is preferable. (Less) - Popular Abstract
- Combining agricultural practices with solar power production presents a promising solution to our increasing energy demands while also ensuring food security. This innovative strategy, known as agrivoltaics (AV), responds to the growing global pop- ulation’s demand for more sustainable food and energy production practices. In our project, we aimed to develop a simulation model to simulate shading caused by solar panels on the ground to help us understand how shading impacts crop growth in AV settings. By accurately determining how much light, at different times, reaches the ground in AV systems, we can optimize AV system design for maximum energy and agricultural productivity. Our focus was on systems where solar panels track the sun’s... (More)
- Combining agricultural practices with solar power production presents a promising solution to our increasing energy demands while also ensuring food security. This innovative strategy, known as agrivoltaics (AV), responds to the growing global pop- ulation’s demand for more sustainable food and energy production practices. In our project, we aimed to develop a simulation model to simulate shading caused by solar panels on the ground to help us understand how shading impacts crop growth in AV settings. By accurately determining how much light, at different times, reaches the ground in AV systems, we can optimize AV system design for maximum energy and agricultural productivity. Our focus was on systems where solar panels track the sun’s movements along a single axis of rotation. However, the model is adaptable to various AV setups, including those with fixed-angle solar panels or panels that rotate around two axes. Additionally, we estimated the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), crucial for crop growth, from solar radiation data and used it to calculate the crop-relevant light received on the ground in an AV system. Our initial find- ings suggest that the amount of light and shading experienced by crops depends on system design and location. Moreover, analyzing shading distribution between solar panel rows reveals variations in radiation reduction across crop areas. For more pre- cise estimation PAR, employing models tailored to local weather conditions proved advantageous. This project contributes to optimizing AV systems for enhanced agri- cultural productivity and energy generation while addressing global sustainability challenges. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9151020
- author
- Keivani Najafabadi, Mahta LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- MASM02 20232
- year
- 2024
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- publication/series
- Master's Theses in Mathematical Sciences
- report number
- LUNFMS-3125-2024
- ISSN
- 1404-6342
- other publication id
- 2024:E14
- language
- English
- id
- 9151020
- date added to LUP
- 2024-04-25 12:42:58
- date last changed
- 2024-05-13 14:27:52
@misc{9151020,
abstract = {{Global population growth presents challenges to sustainable food and energy produc- tion. Transitioning to renewable energy sources, like solar power, requires significant land allocations, conflicting with the need for arable farmland. Agrivoltaics (AV) offers a potential solution by integrating crops and solar panels on the same land. Ensuring consistent and adequate agricultural output alongside energy production becomes crucial with AV system implementation. Therefore, it is important to eval- uate the effects of shading from photovoltaic (PV) systems on crop yield and to optimize the design of AV systems for maximum agricultural productivity and en- ergy generation. This project aims to develop a model for simulation of the shade on the ground caused by the photovoltaic structure on the field, focusing on PV systems with single-axis tracking. The model enables the evaluation of the distri- bution of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) at crop level, essential for crop growth. Given the lack of PAR measurements for many potential agriPV sites, we employ simple regression models to estimate PAR from readily available solar radia- tion data. The total solar radiation is divided into its diffuse and direct components, with a shading factor methodology used to determine the amount of each type of radiation reaching the ground in the AV system. These shading factors represent the proportion of reduction in each radiation component. This process involves using a three-dimensional model to simulate, at each time step, the precise shape and area of the shadows cast on the ground by the PV system. The model accurately simulates shading between rows of PV panels in AV systems, allowing computation of received light considering shading effects. By dividing the area into a grid and calculating shading factors for each cell separately, we assess shade and light distribution on the ground. Extending the model designed for single-axis tracker AV systems, our methodology can assess shading effects in systems with fixed tilt or two-axis trackers, underscoring its adaptability across different AV system types. Preliminary results from the model indicate that the amount of light and shading received at crop level
in AV systems, depend on both system design and geographic location. Additionally, the analysis of shading distribution between rows of solar panels reveals how crops experience varying degrees of radiation reduction in different areas between the pan- els. Furthermore, for more accurate estimation of available PAR, employing models adjusted to local weather conditions is preferable.}},
author = {{Keivani Najafabadi, Mahta}},
issn = {{1404-6342}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
series = {{Master's Theses in Mathematical Sciences}},
title = {{Shade and Light Modeling for Agrivoltaic Systems- With Focus on Single-Axis Agrivoltaic Systems}},
year = {{2024}},
}