Agrivoltaics

A Cornell University research team developed a control framework that simultaneously considers past and future conditions when determining solar panel tilt angle. The researchers told pv magazine it is designed to be plug-and-play, allowing for software developers and solar operators to incorporate their optimization algorithms directly into the framework.

South Korea’s National Assembly has passed the country’s first dedicated agrivoltaics legislation, enabling dual use of agricultural land for solar power generation, but the law excludes zones covering nearly half of the country’s farmland, according to a Seoul-based nonprofit group focused on energy transition.

A geospatial assessment of agrivoltaic potential in Nigeria finds greatest opportunity in the country’s northern regions with plentiful cropland, high solar irradiance and low electricity access rates. It calculated that meeting projected mid-century solar demand in the states of Kano, Katsina and Jigawa could be achieved by installing agrivoltaics on less than 1.5% of cropland.

Researchers in Canada found that 69%-transparent crystalline silicon semitransparent PV modules can improve tomato greenhouse yields by up to 38% while maintaining healthy plant growth through beneficial partial shading. Their simulations also showed that combining rooftop agrivoltaics with heat pumps can fully eliminate fossil fuel heating.

Sassmann, a Germany-based company, has developed a modular “solar panel grid” system designed to prevent pigeons from nesting beneath photovoltaic modules.

Cornell University researchers demonstrated that tracking solar panels in agrivoltaic systems can protect crops from wind damage while allowing airflow, outperforming traditional single-row tree windbreaks. They also proposed a new lowered-first-row panel design that improves wind protection, achieving up to 86% reduction in shelter-zone wind speeds under extreme conditions.

An industry analysis argues that agrivoltaic systems using trackers or vertical designs can outperform conventional solar on both revenues and land use, challenging conclusions from a recent German study.

Researchers in Canada found that semi-transparent cadmium telluride and low-transparency crystalline silicon solar panels can boost turnip root and leaf yields in agrivoltaic systems by optimizing light quality, distribution, and heat stress. Their study highlights that PV module type, transparency, and spectral transmission must be carefully matched to plant physiology to maximize both crop productivity and renewable energy generation.

Researchers at Western University say agrivoltaic sheep grazing models in Ontario outperform traditional farming, with higher margins and dual revenue streams from livestock and solar site services.

German engineering firm BEC Energie Consult has developed a substructure for low-mounted agrivoltaics designed to provide cost-efficient installation while supporting crop growth and livestock management, with the potential to enhance economic viability.