Suitable Layout of Semi-transparent Solar Cells for Planting Strawberries in Greenhouses

Main Article Content

Tadam Vongpanya
Sulaksana Mongkon
Sarawut Polvongsri

Abstract

This research investigated the most suitable arrangement of semi-transparent solar cells for strawberries planting in greenhouses. The study was divided into two parts. The first part was to evaluate the electrical performance and the amount of Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD) that strawberry required for photosynthesis. In this case, 4.72 watts per cell of polycrystalline solar cell was used to arrange in 3 patterns: spacing type 1, spacing type 2, and chessboard type and a 2 m2 of semi-transparent solar panel was created. The study revealed that the spacing type 2 and checkerboard type obtained PPFD of 755.47 and 751.17 μmol/m2/s, respectively, which were suitable for strawberry planting. The solar panel performance was tested to develop empirical equations for predicting the power production from both patterns. In the second part, the equations obtained from the first part of the study were used to simulate energy  production in the case of installing on a Lean-to strawberry greenhouse roof with a width of 6 m, a length of 12 m and a height of 4.95 m. It was found that the spacing type 2 model of semi-transparent solar panel could produce 7,309.58 kWh of electrical energy, equivalent to 32,893.11 Baht/year of electricity charge from the investment of 197,500 Baht and a payback period of 6.00 years. On the other hand, the chessboard of semi-transparent solar panel was able to produce 7,477.09 kWh/year of electrical energy, equivalent to 33,646.91 Baht/year with the same investment of 197,500 Baht and a payback period of 5.87 years. 

Article Details

How to Cite
[1]
T. Vongpanya, S. Mongkon, and S. Polvongsri, “Suitable Layout of Semi-transparent Solar Cells for Planting Strawberries in Greenhouses”, RMUTI Journal, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 1–14, Apr. 2023.
Section
Research article

References

Yaibok, T., Phethuayluk, S., WeawSak, J., Mani, M., and Buaphet, P. (2010). Development the Fish Drying Process with a Solar-Electrical Combined Energy Dryer under the Southern of Thailand Climate. Thaksin J. Vol. 12, No. 3, pp. 110-118 (in Thai)

Phowan, A., Sripadungtham, P., Limmanee, A., and Hattha, E. (2011). Performance Analysis of Polycrystalline Silicon and Thin Film Amorphous Silicon Solar Cells Installed in Thailand by Using Simulation Software. In ECTI-CON 2011 - 8th Electrical Engineering/ Electronics, Computer, Telecommunications and Information Technology (ECTI) Association of Thailand - Conference 2011 academic conference. pp. 625-628. (in Thai)

Xia-Li, Ou., Ming, Xu., Jing Feng, and Hong-Bo, Sun. (2016). Flexible and Efficient ITO-free Semitransparent Perovskite Solar Cells. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells. Vol. 157, pp. 660-665. DOI: 10.1016/j.solmat.2016.07.010

Padmavathi, K. and Arul Daniel, S. (2013). Performance Analysis of a 3 MWp Grid-Connected Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant in India. Energy for Sustainable Development. Vol. 17, Issue 6, pp. 615-625. DOI: 10.1016/j.esd.2013.09.002

Ayompe, L. M. Duffy, A., McCormack, S. J., and Conlon, M. (2011). Measured Performance of a 1.72 kW Rooftop Grid-Connected Photovoltaic System in Ireland. Energy Conversion and Management. Volume 52, Issue 2, pp. 816-825. DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2010.08.007

Renu, S. and Sonali, G. (2017). Performance Analysis of a 11.2 kWp Roof Top Grid-Connected PV System in Eastern India. Energy Reports. Vol. 3, pp. 76-84. DOI: 10.1016/j.egyr.2017.05.001

Yadav, S., Panda, S. K., Tiwari, G. N., Ibrahim, M. A. H., and Caroline, H. V. (2022). Periodic Theory of Greenhouse Integrated Semi-transparent Photovoltaic Thermal (GiSPVT) System Integrated with Earth Air Heat Exchanger (EAHE). Renewable Energy. Vol. 184. pp. 45-55. DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2021.11.063

Wang, D., Liu, H., Li, Y., Zhou, G., Zhan, L., Zhu, H., Li, C.-Z. (2021). High-performance and eco-friendly Semitransparent Organic Solar Cells for Greenhouse Applications. Joule. Vol. 5, Issue 4, pp. 945-957. DOI: 10.1016/j.joule.2021.02.010

Ladthavong, P., Polvongsri, S., Mongkon, S., and Intaniwet, A. (2021). The Analysis of Energy and Luminance Properties of Semi-Transparent Building Integrated Photovoltaic Window Louvers. Engineering Journal Chiang Mai University. Vol. 28, No. 1, pp. 45-60 (in Thai)

Sinworarangsi, P., Songtrai, S., Udomdechanat, N., Kittisonthirak, S., Singthong, A., Krachangsang, T., Sritharathikun, C., and Sripracha, K. (2015). Evaluation of Rooftop Solar PV Performance of Different PV Module Technologies Operating in Thailand. Ladkrabang Engineering Journal. Vol. 32, No. 2, pp. 19-24 (in Thai)

Vongpanya, T., Phuphanphet, R., Futhrem, J., Mongkon, S., and Polvongsri, S. (2022). An Experimental of Semi-Transparent Solar Cell Prototype Design for the Application in Agricultural Greenhouse. In International Conference. pp. 11-15

Morgan, L. (2006). Hydroponic Strawberry Production. A Technical Guide to Hydroponic Production of Strawberries. Suntec NZ, Tokomaru, NZ. p. 117