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Research on plant photosynthetic characteristics and regulation mechanisms in photovoltaic greenhouses under fluctuating solar radiation

Author

Listed:
  • Xing, Tianyu
  • Li, Ming
  • Zhang, Yi
  • Wang, Yunfeng
  • Zhou, Xiaoyan
  • Zhu, Yinlong
  • Li, Jingwen

Abstract

Development of photovoltaic greenhouses is constrained by the challenge of matching crop photosynthetic responses with environmental regulation under fluctuating light and thermal conditions. Although environmental regulation of crop circadian rhythms can be achieved under natural light, the impacts of light-thermal fluctuations on photosynthesis and the associated high energy consumption of environmental control remain unresolved. This study focused on strawberries to investigate the characteristics of temperature and humidity variations within PV greenhouses and their relationship with photosynthetic rate. Air enthalpy was introduced as a comprehensive regulatory indicator to analyze its variation patterns in the greenhouse and its influence on crop photosynthesis. Results showed a significant antagonistic effect between temperature and humidity, with more pronounced regulatory effects when temperature exceeded 24 °C. The critical enthalpy value for photosynthesis initiation was identified as 75 kJ/kg, and the photosynthetic rate peaked within an enthalpy range of 85–90 kJ/kg. Latent heat in the air was found to be a key factor affecting environmental and energy exchange in PV greenhouses. Based on the relationship between enthalpy and photosynthetic rate, a dynamic regulation strategy was proposed using the critical enthalpy value as a threshold. By adjusting temperature and humidity in stages, this strategy achieves dynamic matching between environmental conditions and crop physiological needs. Compared to conventional temperature-based control, the proposed approach reduces energy consumption by 21.81 %–32.05 %, providing theoretical and empirical support for efficient and energy-saving environmental regulation in PV greenhouses under fluctuating natural light.

Suggested Citation

  • Xing, Tianyu & Li, Ming & Zhang, Yi & Wang, Yunfeng & Zhou, Xiaoyan & Zhu, Yinlong & Li, Jingwen, 2026. "Research on plant photosynthetic characteristics and regulation mechanisms in photovoltaic greenhouses under fluctuating solar radiation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 344(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:344:y:2026:i:c:s0360544226002525
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2026.140150
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yao, Jingying & Ma, Xun & Peng, Ye & Kan, Xiaobo & Fan, Fangling & Yao, Haoyi & Wang, Yunfeng, 2025. "Hybrid cooling for a strawberry photovoltaic greenhouse and energy evaluation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 338(C).
    2. Xing, Tianyu & Luo, Xi & Li, Ming & Wang, Yunfeng & Deng, Zhihan & Yao, Muchi & Zhang, Wenxiang & Zhang, Zude & Gao, Meng, 2023. "Study on drying characteristics of Gentiana macrophylla under the interaction of temperature and relative humidity," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 273(C).
    3. He, Ming & Sun, Dapeng & Wen, Peiwei & Sun, Yuanqing & Li, Tianlai & Li, Yiming & Liu, Xingan, 2025. "Environmental control for Chinese solar greenhouses: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    4. He, Guixiang & Liu, Guoqiang & Zhao, Tianyang & Li, Yue & Yan, Gang & Su, Zilong, 2025. "Research progress on moisture transfer process and humidity control in small-scale food storage refrigeration devices," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 339(C).
    5. Achour, Yasmine & Ouammi, Ahmed & Zejli, Driss, 2021. "Technological progresses in modern sustainable greenhouses cultivation as the path towards precision agriculture," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    6. Yao, Haoyi & Liang, Jingkang & Wang, Yunfeng & Li, Ming & Fan, Fangling & Ma, Xun & Xiao, Xin, 2025. "The influence of photovoltaic modules on the greenhouse micro-environment - A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 210(C).
    7. Qu, Xiaosong & Wu, Gang & Feng, Chaoqing & Liang, Hao & Yuan, Guanghao & Lu, Wei & Liu, Ruiguang & Zhang, Wanjiang, 2025. "Study on photo pyrolysis coupling and performance of columnar phase change energy storage system based on composite phase change materials for Chinese solar greenhouse," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 332(C).
    8. Zhou, Xiaoyan & Li, Ming & Zhang, Ying & Wang, Yunfeng & Li, Guoliang & Zhang, Yi & Guan, Xiaokang & Xing, Tianyu, 2025. "Research on the annual performance and regulation of solar greenhouses for integrated cold-heat-electricity utilization under dynamic operating conditions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 250(C).
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