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The French company SunAgri has revealed the results of a test that demonstrates how agrovoltaic installations effectively reduce temperature and relative humidity during periods of drought.
In the midst of a heat wave in the south of France, SunAgri, a French company specializing in agrovoltaics, has published its latest results on the impact of its technology on the management of water resources.
The company conducted an analysis of the effects of solar panels on apple, cherry and nectarine trees at three sites in La Pugère, Etoile sur Rhône and Loriol in the south of France. The study showed that photovoltaic installations reduced the temperature and increased the relative humidity of the crops located under the panels when it was hot, compared to the reference areas without protection.
At the La Pugère site, the shading of the panels resulted in a decrease in air temperature of 3.8ºC and an increase in relative humidity of up to 14% between 2019 and 2021. On average, the temperatures of July dropped 1.2 ºC and relative humidity increased 2% during the same period.
The company also verified that the agrovoltaic system contributed to water conservation, with irrigation contributions up to 30% lower compared to the reference areas (average reduction of 22% between 2019 and 2021). Irrigation reduction was observed using flowmeters installed along the irrigation pipes. Control trees received more irrigation water to maintain water comfort.
The study also showed that soil water availability decreased less under the agrovoltaic structure. This effect was attributed to the regulation of the microclimate in the shade of the panels, which provided favorable conditions for the plants and reduced transpiration and irrigation.
In addition, SunAgri reported that the water status of the apple trees under the agrovoltaic structure remained higher than in the control area throughout the summer. During daylight hours, the water potential of the apple trees under the photovoltaic panels remained around 20% above that of the reference area, which reflects a greater water comfort of the trees in the shade despite the reduction of the water supply.
These findings were supported by several indicators, including a decrease in potential evapotranspiration and a 63% reduction in water stress compared to the reference area, particularly during the intense heat wave in July 2019.
At the Etoile sur Rhône site, where nectarines are grown, temperature differences of 2ºC to 3ºC were recorded on a windless summer day in August 2022. In addition, the company observed a 25% decrease in irrigation with the agrovoltaic system compared to the control area.
In the Loriol cherry tree exploitation, the minimum summer water status under the agrovoltaic system was between 30% and 40% more favorable than that of the control cherry trees, according to the measurements carried out on August 31, 2022) it was also more favorable under the agrovoltaic system than that of the control cherry trees, between 30% and 40% approximately. |
