Why APV Works?
Key Synergies
Shared Infrastructure - Economize
High-yield agriculture needs costly infrastructure like greenhouses /polyhouses/shadenets. In most cases, we can use the same infrastructure to mount PV Modules, thus having dual-use for this asset. Additionally, agri-infrastructure like mulches, shadenets has potential to increase albedo for bi-facial PV Modules.
Shared Radiation - Reduce Sunburn
Most plants have radiation requirements that can be reasonably satisfied at the typical coverage ratios that PV farms need. This is more so the case with Trackers - which also result in a uniform shading below. For agriculture, more often, there is more sun than required in most geographies, for most times.
Reduce Evaporation/Transpiration
The PV Modules results in shade on ground below reducing evaporation losses from ground and transpiration from plants, thus reducing the water requirement for crops. SunSeed is actively conducting research on this aspect at it’s APV Installations to quantify the efficiencies realized in irrigation.
TBC