When photonics are good for farmers
(sustainabilityenvironment.com) – Arrives from France the first module agrivoltaic, bifacial and semi-transparent to have obtained a certification TÜV Rheinland. Feedgy, a company specialized in the optimization of solar systems, presented its novelty at the last Energaïa fair in Montpellier.
In the world of renewable technologies, the agrivoltaic – that is the combination of photovoltaic and agriculture in a symbiotic relationship – is gaining more and more space. Just think that in the European Union alone, 14 Member States have incorporated solar energy in the strategic plans of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). A large group included France and Italy. And although the sector still faces several regulatory, bureaucratic and social challenges, it is undeniable that it is now channeled into an exponential trend. With an estimated average annual growth rate of about 10.1%.
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This surge must be attributed to technological advances in photovoltaic technology, which allow plants not only perfectly integrated into fields and greenhouses but also to increase agricultural production.
The semi-transparent agrivoltaic module
Feedgy’s HS-B96 agri-voltaic module is exactly in this innovation race. The panel, created in collaboration with the Chinese company Huasun, consists of 96 half-cell heterojunction (HJT) and double-sided solar cells. Available in 5 sizes – 300 W, 305 W, 310 W, 315 W and 320 W – the module offers a maximum efficiency of 14.8%, while ensuring a photosynthetically active radiation transmission degree of 33%. What is it? The portion of solar radiation used by plants within the visible spectrum. Knowing this data is also essential because each plant or crop is characterized by its ability to adapt to different intensities of lighting.
“Feedgy is proud to open a new road in agrivoltaic,” said Harold Darras, president and founder of the company. “No technology had yet been developed to allow this cohabitation between solar gain and agricultural gain. Now it’s done. The photovoltaic module developed by Feedgy integrates photonic technology that allows the sharing of light between solar cells for the production of electricity and crops themselves. The demands of plants in terms of light quality are thus met and even enriched. Agricultural production is favored and photovoltaic production is optimized“.