Development of agrivoltaic insect net house to enhance sustainable energy-food production: A techno-economic assessment

Abstract

Agrivoltaics (AV) systems are the simultaneous land utilization for sustainable energy and food production. However, AV may not be suitable for some crops that require rigorous pest management. This study has applied an innovative approach, combining AV with an insect net house to cultivate capsicum. The 1.8 kW AV system has been installed at a 3-m elevation to facilitate unrestricted tractor manoeuvrability for various farming operations. The structure can withstand winds as high as 140.4 km/h. The system has a 3,612-kWh energy capacity and a 51.41 kg food production capacity. The system's energy and food conversion efficiency are 14.09 % and 154.8 %, respectively, compared to the traditional systems. Economic metrics like a 2.20 benefit-cost ratio and a 9.39-year payback period have been included in the findings. Further, the land equivalence ratio is 1.97, indicating a better system than traditional AV and agriculture approaches.

Keywords

• Agrivoltaics
• Insect net house
• Sustainable energy and food production
• Structural analysis