A new study conducted in Spain has revealed that agrivoltaic systems using semi-transparent monocrystalline silicon solar panels can increase tomato yields by 25% while simultaneously generating clean energy. Led by the Murcia Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research and Development (IMIDA), the research demonstrates that this technology can simultaneously support food security and renewable energy goals in Mediterranean climates. Over two growing seasons, silicon-based systems outperformed both traditional methods and other thin-film technologies in terms of energy efficiency and crop quality, offering a promising model for sustainable agriculture.
In the Murcia region, researchers set up four identical greenhouses to study the effects of different shading levels on tomato crops. The experiment compared two widely used semi-transparent technologies: monocrystalline silicon solar panels and cadmium telluride thin-film panels. These systems were also compared with control greenhouses using standard polyethylene covers and traditional shading nets. Approximately 18 solar panels with 50% transparency were installed on the roofs and south-facing sides of greenhouses around 3 meters in height.
From late 2023 to mid-2024, across two cultivation seasons, scientists closely monitored internal climate conditions, soil temperature, humidity levels, and the light required for photosynthesis. The results showed that the silicon-based agrivoltaic system generated significantly more electricity, producing a total of 726.8 kWh with an average of 4 kWh per day, compared to 488.4 kWh from the thin-film system. More importantly, silicon panels maintained daily light integral (DLI) levels above the optimal threshold for plant growth, while the thin-film system fell below this level, limiting plant development.
On the agricultural output side, the findings were striking. Although fruit counts were similar across systems, tomatoes grown under silicon solar panels were 25% heavier on average than those in the control group. Scientists attributed this increase in fruit mass to improved nighttime temperatures and better soil moisture retention provided by the silicon panels. At final harvest, tomatoes from the silicon greenhouse averaged 93 grams, compared to 79 grams in the thin-film system.
The study, supported by Miguel Hernández University and the University of Bari Aldo Moro, confirms that semi-transparent silicon panels achieve an optimal balance between thermal regulation and light management. Experts note that this specific agrivoltaic technology is particularly well-suited for semi-arid Mediterranean climates. By enabling simultaneous food production and renewable energy generation on the same land, this approach is seen as a strategic solution for the future of modern agriculture.
Source: Solarbaba – In Turkish
