EnergyVille/KU Leuven launches web tool on agrivoltaics
The combination of agriculture and solar panels is on the rise. This so-called agrivoltaics offers many benefits, including a sustainable energy supply, additional sources of income for farmers and a reduction in CO2 emissions. Agrivoltaics also has the potential to better protect crops from the effects of climate change. It is therefore no surprise that farmers around the world are increasingly choosing to implement AgriPV on their farms. However, designing such a system is not straightforward and several parameters influence the final outcome. To give farmers, investors and even policy makers a better insight, EnergyVille/KU Leuven is launching the free Agrivoltaics web tool.
Agrivoltaics is an innovative technology that combines agriculture and solar energy. By integrating solar panels into agricultural systems, farmers can generate solar energy while continuing to use their land for agricultural activities. The electricity generated can be used for a variety of purposes: heating barns, cooling fruit, or even selling to nearby businesses or energy cooperatives. However, precise calculations are needed to find the right balance between the amount of light used for crop production and the amount of light that can be used to generate energy.
Clear system analysis in just a few clicks
Agrivoltaics, a free online tool, gives farmers an idea of the impact of a system on the crop growing underneath. Investors, in turn, can assess their business case in a few clicks thanks to a simulation of electricity production that takes into account limited light reduction for crops. The tool can also be useful for policy makers. They can use the tool when assessing applications for permits.
But how does the tool work? Users simply enter a location with longitude and latitude (good to know: the tool works worldwide) and specify the desired period of light simulation. This can be a whole year or, for example, the period between sowing and harvesting. They then fill in the parameters of the agrivoltaics installation, such as its position, ability to rotate with the sun, whether it is double-sided, and so on. The result is a clear pdf report with simulations of light distribution under the agrivoltaics setup, electricity production and crop yield.
Reducing fossil fuel use in agriculture
The web tool was developed as part of the European Hyperfarm project, which aims to reduce fossil fuel consumption in agriculture through AgriPV. One of the Belgian test installations is located at TRANSfarm, KU Leuven’s pilot farm for agricultural research. In this set-up, electricity production was used to heat or cool animal sheds.
Discover the power of agrivoltaics yourself
Wondering how agrivoltaics can strengthen your business, investments or policy plans? Try the free agrivoltaics web tool today. Discover the impact on crop yield, electricity production and financial viability in just a few clicks. Navigate to the website below, enter your parameters and get a detailed report.
The Hyperfarm project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101000828