Selective light transmission in agrivoltaics: Modeling light spectra and photosynthetic rate
While most agrivoltaic systems use opaque silicon photovoltaics, their excessive shading has shifted interest toward semi-transparent wavelength-selective photovoltaic (WSPV) technologies. These technologies aim to transmit light beneficial for crops’ growth while converting unused wavelengths into...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025-09-01
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| Series: | Nexus |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S295016012500021X |
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| Summary: | While most agrivoltaic systems use opaque silicon photovoltaics, their excessive shading has shifted interest toward semi-transparent wavelength-selective photovoltaic (WSPV) technologies. These technologies aim to transmit light beneficial for crops’ growth while converting unused wavelengths into electricity. This study presents two modeling approaches: one for simulating light transmission through WSPV systems and the other for estimating leaf photosynthetic rates from the wavelengths received at the crop level. Both models incorporate the composition of the light spectrum, an aspect often overlooked in earlier models where broadband light values were sufficient. However, in WSPV systems, consideration of the spectral light distribution is key. The models were validated using experimental data from semi-transparent magenta-colored cadmium telluride (CdTe) WSPV systems, demonstrating satisfactory accuracy (R2 > 0.89). Additionally, the study evaluates two metrics, the yield photon flux (YPF) and effective photosynthetically active radiation (EPAR), to assess the photosynthetic efficiency of WSPV technologies in terms of light quality. A global crop suitability assessment, based on light requirements (light quantity) for different plants, highlights the potential of various WSPV technologies in agrivoltaics and aims to guide their future implementation. For instance, semi-transparent magenta CdTe PV and red-transmittance-dominated organic PV (OPV) modules, with average PAR light transmittance around 20%, appear to provide effective shading in most regions. These systems can support medium-light plants (daily light integral [DLI] >6 mol m−2 day−1) even in higher latitudes during sunnier months. Conversely, blue-dominated OPV and a neutral-colored semi-transparent crystalline silicon PV provide higher transmittance (around 50%), making them suitable for plants with very high light demands (DLI >16 mol m−2 day−1), but the quality of the light transmitted is less efficient or unaltered in terms of photosynthetic performance with respect to sunlight. Broader context: The global population is expected to grow in the coming decades, increasing demand for water, energy, and food (WEF). Agrivoltaics, integrating agriculture with solar photovoltaics, offer solutions to land-use conflicts and WEF security. While most existing systems use opaque crystalline silicon panels, their shading can reduce crop yields, spurring interest in wavelength-selective solar photovoltaics (WSPV). WSPV technologies optimize light transmission for plant growth while converting less-used wavelengths into electricity, enabling more efficient sunlight sharing. As WSPV systems become more common, existing modeling tools designed for opaque panels need to incorporate spectral light effects. This study introduces two models: one for simulating spectral light transmission and another for estimating leaf photosynthesis under WSPV. A crop suitability assessment helps identify appropriate crops for WSPV-based agrivoltaics, offering valuable insights for researchers, farmers, and policymakers. |
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| ISSN: | 2950-1601 |