DESC0025162

Widespread development of agrivoltaics, or the joint use of valuable farmland and photovoltaic energy production is hindered by a number of drawbacks that come with existing agrivoltaic solutions such as the high upfront cost of elevated solar panels and the loss of agricultural land and/or productivity. Using SBIR funding, Mirai Solar Corp. proposes to design and test the components of a novel light-weight, semi-transparent retractable photovoltaic system for agrivoltaics that overcomes these drawbacks. The proposed system consists of a mechanical support structure, light-weight retractable photovoltaic panels, and a programmable retraction system. The low load bearing requirement of the innovative hanging mechanism will significantly lower the cost compared to support structures of existing solutions. The retractable photovoltaic panels can either be stretched out, generating electrical power whilst providing shade by covering the vegetation, but, in addition, the panels can be collapsed into a small bundle, minimizing negative growth impact on shade-sensitive crops. This facilitates crop rotation, another opportunity missed in current agrivoltaics solutions. Whilst the technology has been conceived addressing foremost the agricultural aspects of the collocated system, the R&D effort during Phase I will be focused on the functional requirements, certification needs and reliability aspects of the photovoltaic panels and structural components of the system. Prototype panels will be designed and manufactured to test light weight concepts for resilience against wind loads, mechanical impact and extended field exposure. Once the structural properties of the screens are set, a low cost mechanical support will be designed. Based on the developments during this Phase I proposal, we will use Phase II to enable building actual systems, demonstrate the anticipated net-positive economic benefits of the agrivoltaic solution and accelerate large scale manufacturing and implementation of the technology. Across the globe, reductions in precipitation and rising air temperatures are increasing vulnerabilities in both the agricultural and energy sectors. Collocation of agriculture with energy generation, a holistic, integrated approach to food-energy-water decision making, can increase resiliency of both food and energy systems for a sustainable future.