Atsushi Akisawa

Analysis of shadow by HCPV panels for agriculture applications

This paper discusses optical impact to the cultivation area with comparison of flat-plate PV and tracking PV - typically HCPV. Sometimes the PV area is covered by concrete, asphalt or graves for suppression of weeds. In this case, the atmosphere may be better but the PV owner will have to pay additional land cost preparation. Another aspect is the land utilization. This complies that massive unused land space is required. In this situation, it is reasonable to think of utilizing PV-uncovered area for agriculture. This paper discusses the space factor of the PV field by comparison of measured and calculated results as well as possibility of utilizing the land underneath PV array by agriculture. The farmland equipped with high-pole CPV has about 2 times more cultivated land, and the minimum illumination level of the cultivated land is around 2 times, the total sunlight energy to the farming land is almost 3 times. The PV output per lost cultivated land is about 2 times.