Assessment and optimization of design parameters for agrivoltaic systems

Increasing global population makes in parallel expanding energy demand due to increased use. Agriphotovoltaic (AgriPV) is a system where agriculture shares the same land with photovoltaic panels, utilizing the same area to cultivate crop and harvesting energy from solar panel. Looking at the Italian case, the provisions of Article 20 (1) and (2) of Legislative Decree no. 199/2021 highlight the government's preference for implementing the AgriPV system over standalone PV installations. An important issue to study regarding the AgriPV system is configuring the impact of PV design into the crop growth underneath. It is also interesting to evaluate the crop development under fixed-type PV panels for various design parameters, as well as the electricity produced by such a system. To keep the study focused on energy, we will analyze only the crop yield as influenced by the different shading effects of the PV panels. The location chosen for this study is located in Italy, specifically in Piacenza, Fogia and Acate. Around 65% of land in Italy (approximately around 10.7 million hectares) out of total national agriculture surface area are evaluated suitable for implementing AgriPV system. Much of this number concentrates in southern location, mainly Puglia, Sicilia and Emilia Romagna. A simulation for the PV panel shade model will be done using python language using PVlib library, and the modelling for the agricultural production will be developed using STICS model . STICS model is a tool to simulate crop growth model, which enable toforecast and obtain the result of crop development under different microclimate conditions. The study indicate that higher PV tilt angles provide less light availability and crop yields, with the trade-off that improve annual energy output. The study indicate that higher PV tilt angles provide less light availability and crop yields, with the trade-off that improve annual energy output. Among the tested configuration, a 20 degree tilt angle offered the most balanced outcome, supporting both optimal energy generation and minimal crop yield reduction. These findings suggest that careful design configuration of PV design parameters can significantly enhance the dual function of AgriPV system.