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A Photovoltaic Greenhouse with Passive Variation in Shading by Fixed Horizontal PV Panels

Author

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  • Simona Moretti

    (Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, University of Tuscia, Via San Camillo de Lellis, s.n.c., 01100 Viterbo, Italy)

  • Alvaro Marucci

    (Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences, University of Tuscia, Via San Camillo de Lellis, s.n.c., 01100 Viterbo, Italy)

Abstract

The traditional shading systems that greenhouses use cause some of the solar radiation that is reflected or absorbed to be lost and, therefore, not used by the plants under cultivation. An interesting solution to these problems is to position photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roofs of greenhouses. All of the photovoltaic greenhouses that have been realized in Mediterranean areas are characterized by a fixed position of the PV panels and excessive shading, especially in autumn and winter. The purpose of this study is to describe a prototype of a photovoltaic greenhouse with both fixed and horizontal PV panels that exploit the natural variation in the elevation angle of the sun’s rays during the year to allow for “passive” variation in shading. The considerable variation in the elevation angle of the sun’s rays (from 24.4° to 71.1°) results in a high variation in shading (from 39.4% to 72.6%), with the highest values in the summer months and the lowest values in the winter months. This trend is favorable for meeting the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) needs of greenhouse plants. If the plants under cultivation require more solar energy, it is necessary to increase the distance between the panels. We implement a specific mathematical relationship to define the precise distance to be assigned to the photovoltaic panels on the roof pitch.

Suggested Citation

  • Simona Moretti & Alvaro Marucci, 2019. "A Photovoltaic Greenhouse with Passive Variation in Shading by Fixed Horizontal PV Panels," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-18, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:17:p:3269-:d:260784
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xu, J. & Li, Y. & Wang, R.Z. & Liu, W. & Zhou, P., 2015. "Experimental performance of evaporative cooling pad systems in greenhouses in humid subtropical climates," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 291-301.
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    3. Ahmed M. Abdel-Ghany & Pietro Picuno & Ibrahim Al-Helal & Abdullah Alsadon & Abdullah Ibrahim & Mohamed Shady, 2015. "Radiometric Characterization, Solar and Thermal Radiation in a Greenhouse as Affected by Shading Configuration in an Arid Climate," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-10, December.
    4. Simona Moretti & Alvaro Marucci, 2019. "A Photovoltaic Greenhouse with Variable Shading for the Optimization of Agricultural and Energy Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-15, July.
    5. Seok-Hyun Kim & Kyung-Ju Shin & Bo-Eun Choi & Jae-Hun Jo & Soo Cho & Young-Hum Cho, 2015. "A Study on the Variation of Heating and Cooling Load According to the Use of Horizontal Shading and Venetian Blinds in Office Buildings in Korea," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-18, February.
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    7. Kuo-Tsang Huang & Kevin Fong-Rey Liu & Han-Hsi Liang, 2015. "Design and Energy Performance of a Buoyancy Driven Exterior Shading Device for Building Application in Taiwan," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-23, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. 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).
    2. Li, Zhi & Yano, Akira & Yoshioka, Hidekazu, 2020. "Feasibility study of a blind-type photovoltaic roof-shade system designed for simultaneous production of crops and electricity in a greenhouse," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).
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