Agrivoltaics integration with other technologies for improved climate adaptation : sustainable on-site production of energy, water and ammonia
Passilongo, Alessandro (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025092525084
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025092525084
Tiivistelmä
The introduction of agrivoltaics has increased crop yield in various situations, especially in semi-arid zones, where the solar irradiation is excessively intense for certain types of plants. However, these geographical areas, are often characterized by water scarcity and poor soil, which can pose severe limitations even if the shield against irradiation is provided.
The purpose of the research is to investigate solutions for an improved system capable of
• water collection and distribution
• on-site natural fertilizer production
• energy storage.
The thesis studies how combined technologies could offer multiple benefits when applied to agrivoltaics. Therefore, the research questions focus on how to harvest the essential elements for crop growth and how to make use of the produced photovoltaic energy for this purpose. Water was identified as the first element to be managed, essentially because of its heterogeneous distribution and unpredictable climate change. While two different methods were described for rainwater and moisture collection, some particular attention was dedicated to storage and distribution of water, avoiding unwanted dispersion. Another key factor is fertilizer, due to its environmental impact from production and transportation. Green ammonia produced locally via Power to X would offer a rational option for plant growth and, in addition, guarantee an energy storage solution for the residual photovoltaic electricity not returned to the power grid.
In conclusion, enhanced agrivoltaics offers a potential answer to the expanding desertification, for both rural lands and populated areas which are at risk of drought and would be abandoned with severe social and economic issues. However, despite technology advances rapidly, there are still hurdles when applying on-site fertilizer production far from industrial sites where Haber-Bosh process is still predominant.
The purpose of the research is to investigate solutions for an improved system capable of
• water collection and distribution
• on-site natural fertilizer production
• energy storage.
The thesis studies how combined technologies could offer multiple benefits when applied to agrivoltaics. Therefore, the research questions focus on how to harvest the essential elements for crop growth and how to make use of the produced photovoltaic energy for this purpose. Water was identified as the first element to be managed, essentially because of its heterogeneous distribution and unpredictable climate change. While two different methods were described for rainwater and moisture collection, some particular attention was dedicated to storage and distribution of water, avoiding unwanted dispersion. Another key factor is fertilizer, due to its environmental impact from production and transportation. Green ammonia produced locally via Power to X would offer a rational option for plant growth and, in addition, guarantee an energy storage solution for the residual photovoltaic electricity not returned to the power grid.
In conclusion, enhanced agrivoltaics offers a potential answer to the expanding desertification, for both rural lands and populated areas which are at risk of drought and would be abandoned with severe social and economic issues. However, despite technology advances rapidly, there are still hurdles when applying on-site fertilizer production far from industrial sites where Haber-Bosh process is still predominant.