Effects of organic photovoltaic modules installed inside greenhouses on microclimate and plants

Despite its potential benefits, dual land use for crop growth and electricity generation (agrivoltaics) is not widespread. This study investigates the effect of two types of organic photovoltaic (OPV) modules (red and blue), which differ by spectral characteristics, on greenhouse microclimate and crop performance. The characteristics of the OPV modules were first determined outside greenhouses. Then, experiments involving a tomato crop were done in three greenhouses. Two greenhouses had modules installed above the canopy, at gutter height, while the third served as a control without modules. Radiation transmittance values of the red and blue modules were 32.2 and 28.8%, respectively. The installation of OPV modules resulted in a similar reduction of irradiance at the canopy level, about 38%, in the two OPV greenhouses (OPVGs). Dust accumulation over 11 months of installation inside the greenhouses reduced radiation transmission of the red and blue modules by 2.6 ± 0.8% and 4.9 ± 1.8% (absolute values), respectively. The amount of solar radiation transferred to sensible and latent heat depended apparently on the modules' radiometric characteristics. The level of diffuse radiation in the global solar radiation affected the temperature of the modules. In the control greenhouse, the accumulated yield was higher than in the blue and red OPVGs by 15% and 9%, respectively. Yet, the ratio of accumulated yield to irradiance at the canopy level was higher in the OPVGs. There were no significant differences among the greenhouses concerning the acidity and sugar content of the tomatoes.