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A group of researchers from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Austria have compared the life cycle assessment of vertical bifacial agrivoltaic systems with that of stilt-mounted agrivoltaic installations in an in-depth global analysis.
In the second systems, the panels are supported from the ground on a steel structure, and agricultural production takes place below. In the first installations, the modules are deployed on vertical structures and agricultural production is carried out through the rows of modules.
The evaluation included two unique arable land use scenarios: unchanged agricultural production and a complete replacement of agricultural activity by photovoltaic panels. “When evaluating agricultural systems with a holistic approach, it is necessary to include complete crop rotations, since crop-based agrovoltaic systems must operate not only for one season, but for practically relevant time periods,” the scientists specify. “This means covering a crop rotation that can be repeated and is representative of an average Austrian production system.”
The crop rotation selected for the investigation was sugar beet, soybeans and winter wheat. “Green manure is supposed to be planted before the production of sugar beets and soybeans, respectively, to protect soil nitrogen from leaching and make it usable for the following crop,” the group explained.
The life cycle assessment was based on international standards ISO 14040 and 14044.
The scientists stated that their analysis showed that the vertical bifacial system had a lower environmental impact than the piled system in all impact categories evaluated. This was achieved thanks to the lower use of materials for the mounting structures and the lower impact of glass-glass modules compared to sheet glass modules.
They also found that both agrivoltaic systems reduced environmental impact in three of the nine impact categories evaluated. “This study demonstrates that the production of photovoltaic electricity is the main cause of environmental impact in agrovoltaic systems, while the agricultural part is of lesser importance,” the academics say. “Agrivoltaic systems compare favorably with the alternative options studied focused solely on electrical or agricultural production.”
Their conclusions were presented in the study “ Environmental life cycle assessment of a stilted and vertical bifacial crop-based agrivoltaic multi land-use system and comparison with a mono land-use of agricultural land ” bifacial vertical and stilt crop-based multiple land use and comparison with mono-agricultural land use), published in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Review s. |
