| Work Detail |
Fraunhofer ISE researchers studying the impact of single-axis trackers on energy yield and agricultural losses in agrivoltaics have discovered that their use creates an optimal balance between the light available for photosynthesis and the light available for electricity production. A team from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) has investigated tracking strategies that balance light distribution between crops and solar panels in agrivoltaic systems. The research paper, “ Enhancing agrivoltaic synergies through optimized tracking strategies,” available in the Journal of Photonics for Energy , acknowledges that horizontal single-axis tracking (HSAT) systems can help mitigate crop yield losses in agrivoltaics. The study proposes a methodology for optimizing solar panel positioning using specific irradiation targets to meet the varying light requirements of crops. Using a case study of apple orchards in Nussbach (southwest Germany), the researchers conducted simulations using APyV, a custom-built tool that uses advanced ray tracing techniques to assess how solar panel positioning would affect light availability for crops. The tool is capable of automating the design optimization of agrivoltaic systems based on key performance indicators, interfacing with various crop models, and providing integrated simulation of specialized crops. The case study found that adaptive control of the solar panels provided 91% of the light needed for the apple trees throughout the year, resulting in a 20% reduction in solar energy production. Our study shows that the combination of solar energy and agriculture can be improved with smart photovoltaic trackers that adjust the position of solar panels based on weather conditions, crop types, and their growth stages, explains Maddelena Bruno, author of the study. This approach ensures an optimal balance between the light available for photosynthesis and the light available for electricity production. The study also acknowledges that there were periods when the apple trees light requirements were not fully met, which it says highlights the limitations of crop-based optimization. In the conclusion of the research paper, the researchers write that despite the identified limitations, the study lays a solid foundation for future research already underway. Effective control of panel positioning can help preserve agricultural yields while respecting the yield loss thresholds required to qualify for subsidies, ultimately improving the viability of agrivoltaic systems, they add. The researchers also wrote that the proposed absolute targets and control strategy will be field-tested in Nussbach during the 2024/2025 season, contributing to a deeper understanding of the impact of agrivoltaic systems on apple orchards and the surrounding environment. |
