Power generation study of luminescent solar concentrator greenhouse

Abstract

A Luminescent Solar Concentrator (LSC) greenhouse and an identical control greenhouse were constructed with photovoltaic (PV) cells attached to the roof panels of both structures. The placement and types of PV cells used in the LSC panels were varied for performance comparisons. Solar power generation was monitored continuously for one year, with leading LSC panels exhibiting a 37% increase in power production compared to the reference. The 22.3 m2 greenhouse was projected to generate a total of 1342 kWh per year, or 57.4 kWh/m2 if it were composed solely of the leading panel of Criss Cross panel design. The LSC panels showed no signs of degradation throughout the trial demonstrating the material's robustness in field conditions.

Spectrally-Selective Energy-Harvesting Solar Windows for Public Infrastructure Applications

“…The averaged PCE of up to about 3.8% has been demonstrated during the field testing of red-colored solar windows by employing a custom-designed network of multiple monocrystalline silicon solar cells placed at the back side of window panels. This has also been reported in Reference [29] where a roof area of a California-based greenhouse employing these solar windows would need only approximately one-third coverage of LSC electricity-generating panels in order to produce all the electricity consumed in the greenhouse operation. The authors of Reference [30] describe the recent development and testing of yellow-colored semitransparent polymethyl methacrylate-based LSC solar windows employing edge-mounted single-crystalline silicon cells only and demonstrate up to 12 W p /m 2 of electric power output.…”

“…A notable example of using Lumogen F Red-based semi-transparent solar windows for the construction of a greenhouse demonstrates a significant energy self-sufficiency potential reported in Reference [29]. The averaged PCE of up to about 3.8% has been demonstrated during the field testing of red-colored solar windows by employing a custom-designed network of multiple monocrystalline silicon solar cells placed at the back side of window panels.…”

Measured Efficiency of a Luminescent Solar Concentrator PV Module Called Leaf Roof

“…Recently, however, new approaches [2], [10], [15] are being explored in which PV cells are attached to the back side of the lightguide, see Fig. 1, instead of to the edges.…”

Increasing the Energy Savings and Yield of <em>Lactuca sativa</em>, L. in Glass Greenhouses through Illumination Spectral Filtering

“…In order to lengthen the photo period per day in a greenhouse, many PV greenhouses use the electricity generated to power artificial lighting systems [10]. This is not efficient overall, since a product of three conversion efficiency factors (the PV efficiency, the battery storage efficiency, and the electrical-to-optical conversion efficiency applicable to the light sources) will require consideration [11,16]. Even if the most efficient electronic systems and LED components were used, the result is still not particularly efficient.…”

“…For greenhouse locations within or near the Arctic Circle, a summer growth season will include naturally-occurring long daylight conditions, however the natural irradiation intensity will be much weaker, even near midday, compared to more temperate or hot climates. Utilizing artificial lighting, for example, LED lighting, is then either highly desirable, or necessary, and energy efficiency considerations are of essential importance for large scale agricultural production [10][11][12][13], whether the greenhouse facilities are located in moderate or cold climates.Greenhouse materials cover a broad range, from simple glass or plastics, to building integrated or building-applied advanced photovoltaic (BIPV or BAPV, respectively) greenhouse components. This has resulted in the emergence of a new field, Agrivoltaics [12].…”