Agro photovoltaic: feasibility of synergistic system in the sugarcane bioenergy sector

A feasibility analysis of the agro photovoltaic approach applied in the sugarcane energy sector is presented. A tailored architecture of photovoltaic implementation was designed to be installed above and on the same area of ​​sugarcane plot without reduction of planted area, respecting agronomic requirements of the crop. Were analyzed mutual influences, necessary adjustments in crop handling, life cycle management, cross effects on agro-industrial costs and yields, potential savings, gains by additional electricity generation and improved economic results from synergies. The combined cross effects were applied in a hypothetical sugar-energy plant in São Paulo, using typical figures and parameters of the 2019/2020 harvest season, based on updated sectoral reports, and using similarly typical parameters of photovoltaic plants. The greatest operational gain was due to the optimization and cost sharing with the existing electricity generation on the thermal plant driven by biomass, and the highest relative incremental cost resulted from the photovoltaic installation, adapted conveniently to the special management and handling practices required by sugarcane crops. The approach provided economically feasible, respecting crop agronomic conditions and the optimized use of the electrical cogeneration infrastructure driven by biomass. The approach resulted in a significant increase in revenues of energy cogeneration and joint economic margin. The average return on investment period was around 12 years, and 9 years using specific promoted funding lines. The main feasibility constraints and check items are related to the minimum negotiated average price of electricity, and to adapted photovoltaic architecture installation CAPEX, strongly linked to the currency exchange ratio.