Study on indoor thermal environment and photovoltaic income of a BIPV greenhouse

This study investigates the application potential and environmental control mechanisms of Building Integrated Photovoltaic greenhouses. We established three greenhouse types with integrated stereoscopic mushroom cultivation. Indoor temperature, humidity, and irradiance were monitored in real time with a multi-point sensor network under varying weather. The system's performance and economic viability were assessed with PVsyst software. The findings revealed that: With the control system deactivated, a significant vertical temperature stratification was observed indoors. Maximum temperatures reached 51.38 °C/36.77 °C (Building Integrated Photovoltaic greenhouse), 56.77 °C/38.61 °C (shading net greenhouse) and 61.96 °C/42.63 °C (solar greenhouse) under sunny/cloudy conditions, respectively. Only the Building Integrated Photovoltaic greenhouse was able to consistently maintain a suitable environment (temperature ≤25 °C, humidity ≥65%) after system activation. The Building Integrated Photovoltaic greenhouse and the shading net greenhouse both achieved a solar irradiance reduction rate of more than 85%. With an annual energy production of 1354.4 kW h, the Building Integrated Photovoltaic greenhouse demonstrated the capability to achieve full energy self-sufficiency. In summary, replacing greenhouse roofs with photovoltaic modules optimizes the indoor microclimate for shade-tolerant crops and enables energy self-sufficiency, offering an innovative low-carbon and multifunctional strategy for agricultural greenhouses.