A Validated Model, Scalability, and Plant Growth Results for an Agrivoltaic Greenhouse

We developed an agrivoltaic greenhouse (a ‘test cell’) that partially trapped waste heat from two photovoltaic (PV) panels. These panels served as parts of the roof enclosure to extend growing season. Relative humidity, internal air temperature, incident solar radiation, wind speed, and direction were measured for one year. A locally 1-D transient moisture transport model, well a shadowing was validated with experimental data. The models used investigate effects altering various parameters in scalability study. design kept test cell temperatures generally above ambient throughout year, temperature below freezing 36% less year than ambient. Plant growth experiments showed kale, Brassica oleraceae, shade-tolerant plant, can be grown within winter. simulations enlarging will increase but powering electric load PV reduce temperatures.