GO VOLTAGRO: Operational group for the study of the integration of photovoltaic production systems in irrigated crops, managed by intelligent irrivoltaic management systems
- Type Grupo operativo
- Status In progress
- Execution 2024 -2027
- Scope Supraautonómico
- Autonomous community Andalucía; Castilla y León; Murcia, Región de
- Main source of financing PEPAC 2023-2027
- Project website GO Voltagro
The project will consist of a novel agrovoltaic system for use with irrigated crops (irrivoltaic), consisting of a structural module with photovoltaic (PV) panels distributed along 4 slopes with an east-west orientation, which will move over each other on the same plane, adapting their opening to the lighting and microclimatic requirements of the crop.
For each phenological stage of the crop, the following tests will be carried out:
a) opening of the waters located in the east by 15-16.5%, 30-33% and 50% and closing the waters located in the west.
b) opening to the west of 15-16.5%, 30-33% and 50% and closed to the east.
c) east and west opening of 15-16.5%, 30-33% and 50%. Based on the results obtained in the tests, climate, crop and PV production models based on artificial intelligence will be developed, which will be applied in the following year of tests for the optimal management of the irrivoltaic system, optimizing the agro-environmental behavior and maximizing the economic benefit per m2 of surface area.
Electronic, communication and algorithm systems will be developed that will form part of the irrivoltaic system, which will automatically manage the fertigation of the crop, taking into account its water and nutritional requirements in the microclimatic conditions generated by the opening and closing of the solar panels, under the objective function of maximising economic benefit and optimising agro-environmental behaviour.
Assembly of the metal structures of the irrivoltaic systems. Installation and calibration of weighing lysimeters for the irrivoltaic systems installed in the experimental plots. Installation of multi- and hyperspectral sensors and cameras for monitoring the cultivation of the irrivoltaic systems installed in the experimental plots. Development of algorithms for managing the irrivoltaic system based on the agronomic and photovoltaic response.
Development of software that allows to know the distribution of radiation on the crop, the microclimate and the soil humidity. Automatic control system developed, installed, validated and patented that manages the separation between solar panels and fertigation. Intellectual property registration of the developed software
- Determine the percentages of shading and incident radiation on the crop to optimize the production of photovoltaic and agricultural energy in lettuce, melon and sugar beet.
- Modelling incident radiation and shading on crops, together with the microclimate, based on daylight hours and external agroclimatic conditions. Based on the sensors installed in task 1.2.
- Develop an automatic control system that manages the opening and closing of solar panels and fertigation based on the algorithms obtained in previous tests.
- Technical-economic evaluation of the developed system.
Nowadays, many agricultural producers are abandoning their crops and converting their agricultural plots into photovoltaic (PV) production fields, seeking to increase the profitability of their farms.
For their part, renewable energy producers are finding it increasingly difficult to obtain land concessions on which to establish their production facilities, for ecological, agro-environmental, social and market reasons.
For these reasons, it is thought that by rationally combining both activities, that is, by installing PV solar panels on the same land where irrigated crops are grown, and by optimising both activities (values of the Land Equivalent Ratio, Ground Coverage Ratio and Price-Performance Ratio indicators), we can respond to the needs that arise. Until now, in the design of agrovoltaic installations, both in research projects and in ongoing farms, agricultural activity is highly conditioned by PV production infrastructures, which makes it impossible for entrepreneurs dedicated to agriculture to give their approval, since these do not adapt to the necessary agricultural procedures.
It is therefore necessary to provide a higher level of innovation, including objectives and results demanded by the market and business, identifying, taking advantage of and optimising the synergies between both production systems.
- To design and develop the structures and equipment of the irrivoltaic system for use in lettuce, melon and sugar beet farms.
- Determine the percentages of shading and incident radiation on the crop to minimize water and fertilizer consumption, maximizing the production of photovoltaic and horticultural energy, reducing environmental pollution and achieving adaptation to climate change.
- Automatic control system that manages the separation between solar panels and fertigation, based on algorithms.
- Coordinator name: RESEARCH ASSOCIATION FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF SUGAR BEET CULTIVATION
- Postal address: CARRETERA VILLABÁÑEZ, 201- VALLADOLID- CP: 47017- Spain
- Coordinator email: E.ROSIQUE@AIMCRA.ES
- Phone: 619486594
The project will consist of a novel agrovoltaic system for use with irrigated crops (irrivoltaic), consisting of a structural module with photovoltaic (PV) panels distributed along 4 slopes with an east-west orientation, which will move over each other on the same plane, adapting their opening to the lighting and microclimatic requirements of the crop.
Based on the results obtained in the tests, climate, crop and PV production models based on artificial intelligence will be developed, which will be applied in the following year of tests for the optimal management of the irrivoltaic system, optimizing agro-environmental behavior and maximizing the economic benefit per m2 of surface area.
Electronic, communication and algorithm systems will be developed that will form part of the irrivoltaic system, which will automatically manage the fertigation of the crop, taking into account its water and nutritional requirements in the microclimatic conditions generated by the opening and closing of the solar panels, under the objective function of maximising economic benefit and optimising agro-environmental performance.
- Asociación de investigación para la mejora del cultivo de la remolacha azucarera (AIMCRA)
- Asociación de investigación para la mejora del cultivo de la remolacha azucarera (AIMCRA)
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