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Assessing an Agrivoltaic System Pilot in a Small-Scale Solar Farm: A Case Study in the Colombian Tropical Dry Forest

Author

Listed:
  • Carlos M. Burgos-De La Cruz

    (SOLENIUM S.A.S., Medellin 50014, Colombia
    Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Via de Acesso Professor Paulo Donato Castelane Vila Industrial, Jaboticabal 14884-900, Brazil)

  • Brayan J. Anaya

    (Dirección Académica, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede de La Paz, La Paz 202017, Colombia
    Pharmaceutics and Food Technology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain)

  • Diego C. Duran

    (Dirección Académica, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede de La Paz, La Paz 202017, Colombia)

  • Diego F. Tirado

    (Dirección Académica, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede de La Paz, La Paz 202017, Colombia)

  • Leonardo Velasco

    (Dirección Académica, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede de La Paz, La Paz 202017, Colombia)

Abstract

Agrivoltaic systems, which integrate solar energy generation with agricultural production, offer a promising solution to optimize land use efficiency. This work presents a case study for the assessment of an agrivoltaic pilot project in a small-scale solar farm operated by SOLENIUM in San Diego (Cesar, Colombia), located in the Colombian tropical dry forest. The project evaluated environmental conditions, selected melon and watermelon as shade-tolerant crops, and assessed technical challenges, including mechanization constraints. Preliminary results indicated that agrivoltaic systems can maintain agricultural productivity while generating renewable energy, with photosynthetically active radiation measurements averaging 1342 μmol/m 2 /s in cultivation areas. This case study demonstrates the viability of agrivoltaic systems as a scalable model for sustainable rural development in the Colombian tropical dry forest.

Suggested Citation

  • Carlos M. Burgos-De La Cruz & Brayan J. Anaya & Diego C. Duran & Diego F. Tirado & Leonardo Velasco, 2026. "Assessing an Agrivoltaic System Pilot in a Small-Scale Solar Farm: A Case Study in the Colombian Tropical Dry Forest," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-15, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:18:y:2026:i:3:p:1197-:d:1847999
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