Event date:
Jun 14 2021 11:00 am

Design of Photovoltaic (PV) Greenhouse for Different Crops & Seasons: Conceptualizing Agrivoltaics

Supervisor
Dr. Nauman Zafar Butt
Student
Adeel Awan
Venue
Zoom Meetings (Online)
Event
MS Thesis defense
Abstract
The combination of global warming, a growing global population, and the increasing scarcity of fresh water is expected to put significant stress on conventional agriculture. On the other hand, energy is the highest overhead cost in the production of agricultural greenhouse crops in temperate climates. Photovoltaic (PV) technology with agriculture is the best approach towards dual land productivity that could fulfill growing food and energy demands known as agrivoltaic. The agrivoltaic technique is a convenient approach for high temperature (hot) climate areas, roof coverage with the panel can prevent excessive thermal energy due to which crops yield will not be affected and lowering water demand. This study assessed the climate conditions inside a greenhouse in which 60\% of the roof area was replaced with photovoltaic (PV) modules, describing the solar radiation distribution inside the greenhouse at different canopy heights. We found that the sun's angle varies each month, so light distribution also varies as canopy height is increased. From January to March, average global radiation (GGR) inside the greenhouse decreases from 10\% to 15\% as canopy height increases from $2m$ to $8m$. In June and July, the sun passes right above the panel; there is a minimal variation in GGR. From September to December, global radiation (GGR) is decreased by 15\% to 20\% inside the greenhouse, but GGR on the observers placed near the wall increase up to 70\%. Finally, we also assess the potential of growing multiple crops under the area of installed PV.

Meeting Link: https://lums-edu-pk.zoom.us/j/99856999354?pwd=cGg2S2tiTSt4bTAyL0ZRQkhoeDZkQT09

Meeting ID:     998 5699 9354

Passcode:     802409