Assessing the impact of shading by solar panels on evapotranspiration and plant growth using lysimeters

Photovoltaics is one of the front-running renewable energy technologies, greatly contributing to reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. With aim for carbon neutrality ever larger photovoltaics plants are being built worldwide alongside an increasing number small-scale Agri-Voltaics (APV) systems. Despite this trend, impact such systems on environment remains scarcely studied. By means lysimeters effect shading by solar panels evapotranspiration (ET) and plant growth has been analyzed at a research station Germany. During measurement period which stretched from November 2019 early April 2020, ET recorded area shaded was with 163 mm almost equal reference site 158 mm. However, percolation found be much higher 89.5 compared below panel where no seepage detected. This difference investigated looking more depth temporal evolution ET, showed season-dependent lower than during growing season but rest year. season, leads strong radiation received resulting soil temperatures unshaded area. winter months turn raise trapping outgoing results The described effects temperature have studied conventional park measurements lysimeter within paper. While end height rape average 20 cm site, yield assumingly due lack light stages development. paper presents discusses underlying processes changes global respect soil-water-plant system.