Agrivoltaics : Technical, ecological, commercial and legal aspects

Using PV modules on top of agricultural fields offers a twofold advantage; generating clean energy and shielding crops. This systematic and comprehensive book provides an overview of agrivoltaics, covering technology as well as social, ecological, economic and regulatory aspects.

Agrivoltaics, also called agricultural-photovoltaics (Agri-PV or APV), integrates solar power generation into an agricultural activity on farmland.The PV modules not only generate clean energy, but also shield crops from intense sun, drought or wind erosion. The market potential in EU-27, UK, and Switzerland alone is estimated to be 968 GWp if only 1 % of the utilized agricultural area is used for Agri-PV. Interest is swiftly growing amongst scientists, policy makers, and within the farming and energy industries. The challenges lie in the construction of the PV system, choice and ecology of crops, and sowing and harvesting techniques.Agrivoltaics: Technical, ecological, commercial and legal aspects provides an overview of agrivoltaics, covering existing technical solutions both on system level as well as on the module level. Chapters cover the principles and definition, technological aspects of the PV and the agricultural system, yield prediction, light management, operations and management, ecological and social aspects, commercial, and legal considerations. Legal frameworks in different countries are explained. A short outlook describes how the future of Agri-PV could develop.The book provides systematic coverage of this emerging topic for researchers, scientists, and engineers involved with PV, farmers, decision makers in PV and agricultural sector, as well as policy makers.