Purdue University researchers in Indiana have made significant strides in agrivoltaic farming by improving traditional solar energy structures used in the sustainable system. Agrivoltaics combines solar power generation with the cultivation of row crops like corn, rice, soybeans, and wheat on the same land, providing a dual benefit of food and energy production.
The patent-pending structures developed by Purdue, along with advanced software, aim to optimize food production for farmers while maximizing solar energy output. The research, published in prestigious journals and presented at conferences, highlights the effectiveness of the enhanced agrivoltaic panels specifically tailored for Indiana's agricultural landscape.
Rakesh Agrawal, a distinguished professor of Chemical Engineering at Purdue, notes that while farmland in the United States is already utilized for wind energy generation, solar energy is more widely accessible in farming regions. Agrawal emphasizes the need for careful optimization of solar photons between food production and energy generation when deploying photovoltaic (PV) panels on agricultural land.
Traditional agrivoltaic structures cast shadows that can reduce crop yields. To overcome this limitation, Purdue researchers, including Mitch Tuinstra, a professor of plant breeding and genetics, have developed structures compatible with large-scale agriculture in Indiana. By mounting the modules closer to the ground, similar to traditional solar farms, the system becomes more cost-effective and offers a quicker return on investment for farmers.
The Purdue agrivoltaic structures incorporate a dual, off-axis rotation system and sensors to optimize electricity generation while ensuring crops receive adequate sunlight. When farm equipment needs to pass through, the modules rotate to form a near-vertical structure. At other times, they track the sun's movement to maximize solar energy capture.
Muhammad Ashraful Alam, a professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Purdue, highlights that the agrivoltaic structures are specifically designed for row crops prevalent in Indiana, such as corn, soybeans, wheat, and rice. These structures have been meticulously engineered to withstand Indiana's diverse weather conditions, including heavy rain and strong wind, while allowing the necessary amount of sunlight, rain, and shadows to reach the crops.
The Purdue team has disclosed the innovative structures and software to the Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization, which has applied for a patent. The next crucial step involves partnering with a solar energy developer to bring the improved agrivoltaic structures to the market, with a particular focus on collaboration within Indiana's vibrant agricultural community.
The groundbreaking research conducted at Purdue University in Indiana holds immense promise for transforming agrivoltaic practices, offering a sustainable solution that optimizes both crop yield and solar power generation, ultimately benefiting the state's agricultural industry and energy sector.
Photo Credit: istock-shansekala
Categories: Indiana, Crops, Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, Energy, Sustainable Agriculture