Optimal tilt angle for agrivoltaic projects in Mediterranean region

Optimal tilt angle for agrivoltaic projects in Mediterranean region

Researchers in Turkey identified the optimum tilt angle for agrivoltaic tasks related to various crops in the main Mediterranean area, and other areas with comparable latitude and weather conditions.

A global group of scientists has actually examined the ideal tilt angle for agrivoltaic (APV) systems in Mediterranean environment and mid-latitude areas. They have actually run a series of simulations on a 175 m2 system in the Turkish capital, Ankara.

“The evaluated worths can be utilized in the main Mediterranean area of comparable latitude and weather conditions (Csb) and various areas of the world,” they described. “The primary ones are Portland in the USA, Braga in Portugal, Valladolid in Spain, Terni in Italy, and Žabljak in Montenegro.”

The scholastic group discussed that ideal tilt can assist both energy production and crop yield, as the PV panels partly shade the crops, safeguarding them from extreme heat. Some crops, such as tomato, potato, and garlic, are understood to have much better yield with shading, while others, such as rice, peanut, and okra, require more sunshine.

“The research study’s creativity depends on the style of an APV system as an alternative option to the increasing energy-related food expenses. The objective is to lower the effect of functional expenses on farming activities and promote sustainability, especially in backwoods,” they stated.

To perform their simulation, the researchers initially computed the optimum tilt angle for Ankara in regards to power production. They discovered the yearly average to be in between 31 degrees and 33 degrees. The seasonal optimal slope angle for the winter season was 55 degrees, for spring was 20 degrees, for summertime was 7 degrees, and for fall was 45 degrees.

Taking these worths into account, they then produced 8 situations with various tilt angles and determined their result on crop yield and energy production. The situations are based upon the following criteria: annual average (M1); latitude 39.57 ° (M2); horizontal setup (M3); vertical setup (M4); winter season optimum tilt angle (M5), spring optimum tilt angle (M6); summer season optimum tilt angle (M7); and fall maximum tilt angle (M8).

“In the style of the APV system, a 12.0 kW h DC power capability was set up with 40 systems with 300 Watt PV panels,” they included. “A 3 m space is left in between each PV selection, and shading is thought about inadequate. The height of the panels from the ground is presumed to be 3.6 m, and an APV style was made in accordance with worldwide requirements, with a width of 10.5 m and a length of 16.5 m, amounting to 175 m2.”

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The simulation was carried out presuming the usage of basic crystalline silicon with a performance of 19%, premium crystalline silicon with an anti-reflecting cover of 21% effectiveness, and less expensive thin-film PV modules with an effectiveness of 18%. The crops under them were simulated as turmeric, olive, winter season cabbage, kiwifruit, corn, lettuce, and bok choy.

The academics established that the M1 situation with thin-film panels uses the greatest efficiency with a yearly monetary gain of $1,286 and a/c electrical power produced of 15,674 kWh. The most affordable efficiency, by contrast, was accomplished in the M4 circumstance with thin movie panels, with the monetary gain being approximated at $775 and air conditioning electrical energy at 9,438 kWh.

The scientists likewise detailed the land comparable ratio (LER). LER is an approach utilized to determine land usage effectiveness for the synchronised production of crops and electrical energy. They discovered the greatest capability aspect to be for growing kiwi under the M1 situation and the most affordable for growing bok choy in M4 conditions.

“As of 2023, the reduced repayment duration (DPBP) worth for the M1 design is 15.8 years, while the M4 design stops working to satisfy the financial investment expense. By 2035, the DPBP worth for the M1 design reduces to 7.8 years, while for the M4 design, it ends up being 13.6 years. In 2050, the DPBP worths are 5.4 years for the M1 design and 10.1 years for the M4 design,” they discovered.

Their outcomes existed in”Solar battery tilt angle optimization for agrivoltaic systemsand released in Case Studies in Thermal EngineeringThe researchers behind the research study are from Turkey’s Batman UniversityAustralia’s James Cook UniversityHungary’s University of Pannonia, and ELTE Eötvös Loránd University.

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