Swansea study sheds light on agrivoltaics efficiency

Known as agrivoltaics, combining solar PV with pasture and arable land has become more common in recent times, with farmers looking to maximise land use and enhance sustainability. But as the practice has become more widespread, concerns have been raised as to how this dual-use approach will impact agriculture and food security, as well as how best to integrate solar PV into farmland. 

The new study from Swansea, published in Solar RRL, investigated the effect of semi-transparent PV materials placed over crops and grass. As part of the research, the team developed a free software tool that predicts the light transmission, absorption, and power generation of different PV materials virtually anywhere on the globe using geographical, physical, and electrical measurements.

“This technology, which allows us to compare many types of PV material, could help us determine how we balance food production and renewable energy generation,” said lead author Austin Kay, a PhD candidate at Swansea University.

Optimising agrivoltaics means selecting the right PV material, which requires an understanding of how the material absorbs different wavelengths of light, as well as its bandgap. A wider bandgap means the material can absorb higher energy light with a shorter wavelength (blue), while a narrower bandgap allows the absorption of lower-energy, longer wavelength (red) light. By selecting PV materials with specific bandgaps and absorption properties, it’s possible to fine-tune the type of light transmitted through semi-transparent PVs to hit crops or grass on particular patches of farmland.

“By optimising the combination of solar panels and agriculture, agrivoltaics has the potential to significantly contribute to the decarbonisation of the agricultural sector,” said Associate Professor Ardalan Armin, the project lead.

“This approach not only generates clean energy but also enhances food security.”

According to the researchers, collocating solar with livestock can reduce maintenance costs, with animals eating vegetation around the panels to maintain unobstructed sunlight. However, careful consideration of the type of livestock is crucial, as species such as goats can jump onto the PVs and cause irreversible damage.