Design of A New Greenhouse Configuration Utilizing Semi-Transport Photovoltaic (PV)

Abstract

A review of different configuration and orientation of greenhouse (GH) were conducted, the use of different types of cover and solar energy transmissivity into the GH were also presented. This study presents, a new configuration of (GH) implementing the use of semi-transparent photovoltaic (STPV) as cover to improve the performance of GH, for agricultural purposes and power generation. In this work, the solar energy intercepted by the GH cover and the extended hangout is calculated. The total energy available for conversion into electric energy was also calculated. The STPV allows photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) to pass into the GH cavity while the higher wavelength is collected and converted into electric energy. The solar energy intercepted by the STPV roof cover is 69335.78 kWh yr-1, the total energy transmitted into the GH cavity is 68842.4544 kW yr-1. The air, plants and outside temperature varies between 27- 44% inside the GH. The electrical energy produced by the STPV roofed cover was calculated to be 21.98 kWh yr-1. The total electric energy produced from the roof covered with 100% STPV is sufficient to control the GH microclimate for conducive plants growth throughout the year.