In the hunt for sustainable cultivation organization , many have been appear at agrivoltaics provide a dual use of farming state for Agriculture Department and renewable vigour output . However , the main hurdle of this tech is getting the balance between electricity and crop production right . This prompted the establishment of the REGACE undertaking , fund by Horizon Europe , which purport to look into the combination of the TriSolar tracking organization with CO2 enrichment . " The TriSolar organisation is an agrivoltaics , crop responsive solar trailing organization installed inside greenhouses whose end is to optimize produce conditions for plants , " explains Dr Esther Magadley from the REGACE task .
" The TriSolar arrangement use custom - made monocrystalline bifacial PV panels . These panels have a transparent back panel and spaces between cell to ensure even idle distribution inside the greenhouse . " The organization ’s chic control mechanics adjusts the panel ' slant based on plant scant demand . Essentially , it ’s like pass plant the perfect amount of lighter and shade throughout the twenty-four hours .
" By add up CO2 enrichment , which helps plants grow with less wanton , we aim to make this engineering executable in Northern climate with depleted light conditions , " say Dr. Magadley . The projection instal system in six locations across Europe and Israel to evaluate their execution from various perspectives .
Crops & electricityThe REGACE undertaking is significant because it offers a solution that increases harvest output and produce renewable muscularity . concord to Dr. Magadley , " The tracking system is attached with a few screws to the greenhouse supports , eliminating the pauperism for spare jazz - proof structures and reducing installation costs . "
Additionally , this dual - use technology ( for crops and electrical energy ) can transmute minor greenhouse operations into zip producer . The system is test in various types of greenhouses , ensuring it work out with different crops and structure .
The TriSolar system tolerate out because it responds to the plant ’s light requirements . Dr. Magadley point out , " It ’s one of the few systems that optimizes light conditions for plants . By combining this with CO2 enrichment , we drive for higher harvest and electric yields . " Plus , the system is instal inside the nursery , using the existing body structure , which keeps material and installation costs low .
But how does this applied science manage to do both ? The TriSolar system line up the PV gore to assure optimal light at craw height . " carbonic acid gas enrichment compensates for depleted lightsome levels , allowing the panel to focus more on capturing sunlight and generating electricity , " say Dr. Magadley .
If it ’s green it ’s goodThe TriSolar arrangement is quite craw - agnostic and can work both in vegetable and flower nursery . Dr. Magadley explains , " The system can be adapt for unlike plants by change the lite requirements in the TriSolar trailing system . " So whether you ’re raise tomato plant or tulip , this tech has you cover .
Developing this engineering science was n’t without its hurdling . " Balancing electricity and crop production was a central challenge , " says Dr. Magadley . The team had to make a mounting mechanism suited for various greenhouse type , like polytunnels and glass greenhouses , and different reporting ratios . They also developed different semi - gossamer PV panel to fit these structure .
The good tidings is , that installation is relatively straightforward . The system attaches to the existing glasshouse body structure . Dr. Magadley notes , " While the engineering is still being optimized , the next version will make installation even simpler . "
As part of REGACE , grower are supported throughout the installment and usage of the engineering science . Dr. Magadley mentions , " We collect feedback from greenhouse Fannie Farmer in different rural area to facilitate optimize the organization further . In a commercial-grade mount , we project to offer on-going support to agriculturist . "
Who even needs sun?Originally plan for gay domain , the TriSolar system is now being test in various climates through REGACE . " We get to make the technology worthy for more northern region with low sunshine condition by using CO2 enrichment , " pronounce Dr. Magadley . The installations range from northerly Germany to Israel , cover a wide climatic spectrum .
Dr. Magadley believes that agriculturist out of doors of Germany will be just as enthusiastic about the undertaking . " The REGACE project results should interest different geographic areas and provide welfare to growers in various part , " she says .
REGACE has six installing site , including university research centers and working farm : Bio - Gärtnerei Watzkendorf GmbH , an organic farm in North Germany ; Humboldt University of Berlin , Germany ; Fattoria Solidale del Circeo , a social farm in Italy ; University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences , Vienna , Austria ; University of Thessaly , Greece ; AlZahrawy Society , Research Center , Israel .
The project has 18 month left to hoard and analyse data , which will inform recommendations for technology implementation in unlike countries . If prove viable , REGACE has the potential to proffer a worthful agrivoltaic solution for greenhouses worldwide . Perhaps , your next greenhouse - maturate veggies might just come with a side of solar power .
For more entropy : Regaceregaceproject.com
© FloralDaily.com/Andrea Di Pastena
