Solar Mounting Structures for Agricultural Farmland
Agrivoltaics, or Agri-PV, combines agriculture with photovoltaic technology. By integrating these systems, you maximize your land's potential without disrupting your livestock or crop cultivation. Think of it as harvesting sunlight twice—once for your crops and once for energy. Since agriculture is complex, finding the right agricultural PV mounting solution for your specific location is important.
With over a decade of experience in the renewable energy sector, we have comprehensive expertise in this field. Along with providing valuable content in this article, we offer thoughtfully designed products to support your plans and ensure your projects succeed.
Energy and Power Challenges in Farming
High energy costs pose a significant challenge when your farm relies on diesel and grid electricity. Energy-intensive tasks like irrigation, heating, and running machinery become expensive, cutting into your profits. Without solar power, dependence on fossil fuels with fluctuating prices makes it tough to manage your expenses effectively.
Operating in remote areas often means unreliable power supplies, disrupting irrigation and storage. Inefficient irrigation systems not only waste water but also increase your costs. Higher operational expenses put you at a disadvantage compared to farms that have adopted solar solutions, affecting your competitiveness in the market.
Benefits of Combining Agriculture and PV Systems
Source: energyindustryreview.com/analysis/agrivoltaism-a-win-win-system/
Optimizing Land Use
By integrating agriculture with PV systems on the same land, you maximize the benefits from every acre. This dual-use approach enhances land efficiency. You produce crops and generate energy without needing extra space.
Generating Additional Revenue
Leasing your land for PV installations or selling surplus energy provides a steady source of income. This diversifies your revenue streams and strengthens your financial stability.
Reducing Energy Costs
Using solar energy from your PV system to power irrigation and other operations lowers your energy expenses over time. Your cost per kilowatt-hour decreases, boosting your long-term profitability.
Enhancing Crop Growth and Yield
The shade from elevated solar panels creates a cooler environment, extending the growing season and improving plant growth. Some vegetables become sweeter and crunchier under these conditions.
Protecting Crops from Extreme Weather
PV systems shield your crops from hail, frost, sunburn, drought, and high temperatures. This protection stabilizes yields and reduces weather-related damage.
Improving Water Management
The Agri-PV system drains rainwater, minimizing soil erosion. With specific irrigation designs, you direct water precisely to your crops, improving water efficiency and conserving resources.
Source: www.researchgate.net/figure/Rainwater-harvesting-system_fig1_354794089
Accessing Subsidies and Tax Benefits
In regions like the EU and several other countries, agricultural PV systems qualify for subsidies and tax incentives. This support reduces initial investment costs and increases your return on investment.
Agri-PV technology holds significant value in Central Europe, where 19% of the European Union's arable land is located. This region is crucial for producing major crops, contributing 20% of the EU's wheat, 29% of its oats, 37% of its rye, and 57% of its berries. These agricultural outputs are now under threat. Farmers face mounting challenges due to deteriorating economic conditions, fluctuating fertilizer costs, and the adverse effects of climate change.
If needed, watch these two videos to see how solar energy integrates with agriculture. Discover the benefits and challenges this combination brings.
1. NREL's Agrivoltaics Research: Combining Solar Energy With Agriculture: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wo2gAePRqU
2. Solar Panels Plus Farming? Agrivoltaics Explained: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgZBlD-TCFE
Agri-PV Mounting Systems Types
There are four main types of agrivoltaic systems: low-ground fixed-tilt systems over crops, elevated systems, vertical modules, and solar greenhouses. Selecting the right system requires considering several factors, including the solar panel tilt angle. You'll also need to consider the types of crops you're growing, panel heights, solar irradiation, and your local climate.
Low-Ground Fixed-Tilt Systems
In many traditional agrivoltaic systems, solar panels are installed on or between crop fields. Adjusting the density or tilt angle of these panels boosts the efficiency of your setup.
For large-scale projects over 5 MW, low-ground fixed-tilt solar panel mounting is the most common method. This approach offers several benefits:
● Provides shade for animals, improving their welfare.
● Enables the growth of flora and grassland between and beneath the panels, ideal for grazing.
Mibet PGT2 Ground Tilt System: www.mbt-energy.com/products/ground-pv/ground/2103122.html
High-Mounted Agri-PV Systems
High-mounted systems feature solar panels elevated four to six meters above the ground, with bottom edges at least 2.1 meters high. This setup offers significant advantages:
● Grow even large plants under the panels.
● Farm animals like cows can move freely beneath them.
● Operate agricultural machinery, such as tractors, under the modules.
While the investment costs are at least twice as high as conventional PV systems, the higher expenses can be offset by the profits from your agricultural yields.
Plus, you can incorporate solar tracking technology. This means your panels align with the sun's position throughout the day, maximizing energy capture.
Source: KU Leuven (Double-Sided Agricultural PV with Single-Axis Tracking)
Vertical Mounted Systems
With this system, solar modules are mounted vertically. There's enough space between module rows for harvesting machinery. Vertical-bifacial constructions are common, featuring solar cells on both sides of the modules. Rows are typically spaced 8 to 12 meters apart. Keep in mind, though, that tall plants aren't suitable since they can shade the modules and reduce efficiency.
Solar Greenhouses
Powering your greenhouse entirely with solar energy is an exciting option. By installing PV panels on the greenhouse roof, you generate renewable energy that can be:
● Fed back into the grid
● Stored for later use
● Used for the greenhouse's own needs like lighting and irrigation
And the best part? It doesn't compromise your production.
Components of a Solar Farm System
1. Solar Panels
Your solar panels are the heart of your system. They capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. By choosing high-quality panels, you boost your energy production.
2. Mounting Structures
Mounting structures secure your panels on the ground or rooftops. By positioning them for optimal sunlight exposure, you maximize energy generation throughout the day.
3. Inverters
Inverters convert the DC from your solar panels into AC. This powers most of your farm equipment and can be supplied to the grid.
4. Batteries
Batteries store the excess energy you generate during the day. They provide a consistent power supply even when the sun isn't shining.
5. Charge Controllers
Charge controllers regulate the voltage and current from your solar panels. They prevent your batteries from overcharging, extending their lifespan.
6. Wiring and Electrical Components
Using quality cables, connectors, and other electrical parts helps you maintain safe and efficient connections throughout your system.
7. Monitoring Systems
Monitoring tools let you track your solar system's performance. You can make adjustments and keep everything running smoothly.
8. Protection Devices
By installing fuses, circuit breakers, and surge protectors, you safeguard your system against electrical faults and protect your investment.
9. Solar-Powered Equipment
Depending on your needs, you can integrate solar-powered pumps for irrigation, greenhouse lighting systems, or other specialized equipment. This enhances your farm's efficiency.
10. System Controllers and Management
System controllers and management tools help you manage and automate various aspects of your farm operations. This leads to improved productivity.
Our Mounting Systems for Your Farm
Looking for a cost-effective solution for your agricultural PV needs? Our solar farmland mounting systems offer an outstanding cost-benefit ratio. Designed specifically for agricultural environments, they provide flexible installation options:
1. Drive the steel columns directly into the ground.
2. Screw them into the soil using ground screws.
3. Use poured concrete foundations or pads.
Choosing the right method ensures your system runs smoothly and lasts for years to come.
With our systems integrated into existing farms, you can boost both productivity and profitability in your open spaces. They also minimize environmental footprints without compromising agricultural productivity.
We tailor farm solar mounting structures to your project plans. Whether you own open space or develop projects, we'll help you find the best solution.
If you are interested in our agricultural systems, please visit: www.mbt-energy.com/products/ground-pv/agriculture-pv/1808311.html
Project Reference
The Mibet agricultural PV project, located in Nihonmatsu City, Japan, has a total generation capacity of 3.6?MW. To view more images of this project, please click here.
How Can We Help?
Mibet delivers high-quality, reliable PV mounts and systems for large-scale solar power plants worldwide.
If you are looking to harness sustainable energy, agricultural PV is just one of the options available. We can evaluate your site along with your needs to determine the most suitable ground mounting system for your situation. Should pole mounting not suit your needs, we present several other options, ensuring you make an informed and thoughtful decision.
