M. Imtiaz Hussain

Utilization of Solar Energy in Agricultural Machinery Engineering: A Review

Background: Various solar energy collecting systems have been developed and analyzed for agricultural applications. They include solar thermal and electric devices such as solar crop dryers, solar water pumps, solar greenhouse heating, ventilation for livestock, solar aeration pumps, solar electricity, and many more. Purpose: This review provides the current status of research and development in the field as well as the solar energy systems that are currently in use in the agriculture sector across the globe. Review: Solar energy is the largest and cheapest energy resource on earth; one hour of solar radiation exceeds the complete global energy consumption in one year. The potential annual total solar radiation in South Korea is 3.58–5.4 kWh/m 2 /day. The available solar energy is sufficient for agricultural applications across the entire country. Conclusion: The scope of solar energy utilization in agricultural machinery engineering in South Korea and in other countries is promising.