Simulating Horizontal Stacking of PV Modules for Agri-PV Configuration in PV*SOL

[Jonatan Puente]

Dear PV*SOL Support Team,

I am currently working on a project that involves simulating an Agri-PV system, aiming to consider both ground shading and the shading effects of PV modules on plants. Specifically, I am planning to create two module arrays:

1. A ground-mounted, contiguous array to capture data regarding ground shading and irradiance on the agricultural field.

2. A second array consisting of optimally elevated PV modules, positioned horizontally above the first array. This second array is intended to generate shading data for the plants and provide information on energy generation and related metrics.

However, I have encountered a challenge while attempting to design the second array. It seems that positioning PV modules on top of each other within PV*SOL is not feasible to simulate the desired configuration. Is there a way to achieve this type of setup, where the second row of PV modules generates shading effects on the plants and provides detailed energy generation data? If not, I would greatly appreciate any advice or alternative approaches to effectively capture shading data and PV metrics for the plants in my Agri-PV installation.

I sincerely thank you in advance for your assistance and look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,

Jonny

[developer_fw]

Hello Jonatan Puente

On 8/9/2023 at 11:41 AM, Jonatan Puente said:

1. A ground-mounted, contiguous array to capture data regarding ground shading and irradiance on the agricultural field.

I am not sure what your goal is by putting a PV system below another PV system.

On 8/9/2023 at 11:41 AM, Jonatan Puente said:

It seems that positioning PV modules on top of each other within PV*SOL is not feasible to simulate the desired configuration.

This is correct. Since we only simulate the overall yield of PV systems we do not simulate the indirect left over radiation below a system.

I'm afraid PV*SOL does not have the capability to simulate this since our digital PV module does not have a transmissive factor which could be necessary for adding it to diffuse global irradiation.

There is lots of studies regarding agri photovoltaik. I am sure you already did have a look into tons of them. Aren't there estimations of how much irradiation gets reduced? There are some test systems researching the impact on crop yields. Since there are interesting factors like avoiding yield reducing precipitations which we cannot simulate, I assume taking into account irradiance only might not be feasible.

I am very interested in more information about agri PV and/or your work!

Kind regards
Frederik