In contrast with traditional panels, thin-film solar modules are much more adaptable to agricultural situations, thanks to their flexible, lightweight design.
December 22, 2023 Ascent Solar – Paul Warley
From pv magazine USA
Solar power has seen incredible progress in recent years, paving the way for more innovative solutions such as thin-film solar cells. These lightweight, flexible cells can be attached to surfaces of nearly any shape or design, making them a top choice for a variety of applications. This technology is revolutionizing the industry by allowing solar power to be harnessed in places previously thought impossible due to the limitations of traditional solar panels.
Thin-film solar modules are now ready to tackle their next challenge: agrivoltaics.
As the impacts of climate change worsen, domestic farmers are facing the harsh effects of high temperatures on their crops. This is where agrivoltaics comes in to help.
Agrivoltaics (APV) involves placing arrays of solar modules above areas of crop growth to provide partial shade, reducing sunburn, water evaporation, and insulating the crops from extreme weather. This innovative technique also allows farmers to benefit from solar power generation, creating a second revenue stream.
Current challenges facing agrivoltaics
Rigid traditional solar panels pose logistical issues for agrivoltaic systems. They are heavy, require substantial support structures, and can provide more shade than necessary for crops. This limits the ability to strike the delicate balance needed for successful agrivoltaics.
Most current APV installations utilize rigid panels, taking about half of the land out of production and making standard maintenance and harvesting processes more difficult. Additionally, the underground electrical conduit for traditional solar modules can limit the variety of crops that can be grown in symbiosis with a traditional solar array.
