Research Projects

Climate change is causing severe environmental problems, so conventional energy sources must be urgently replaced with renewable sources. Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are at the forefront of this transition, which provides a sustainable solution. In this, Agro-Photovoltaic (Agro-PV) technology has the potential to address energy and food security issues by combining solar power generation with agricultural land usage. The conventional Agro-PV systems are primarily suitable for flat terrains; however, in hilly areas where step farming is practiced, installation of these systems poses significant challenges. The conventional Agro-PV has high installation costs and requires land modification, often altering the natural contours of the land, causing it to be rejected by local farmers. Also, shading from conventional Agro-PV is also a concern for crops, so only certain crops that can tolerate shade can be grown. In this proposal, a 9 kWp solar tree-based Agro-PV system will be developed to solve these problems. Unlike conventional Agro-PV configurations, these solar trees will be installed at the boundaries of agricultural fields while maintaining the natural contours of the land. The system will be compatible with existing agricultural practices and avoid the need for land modification. These designs will allow the production of a variety of crops under the PV system, including sunlight-loving crops. This approach not only reduces installation costs but also increases farmer acceptance by allowing land use in a conventional manner. To maintain compatibility with local topography and agricultural practices, a comprehensive analysis of environmental, structural, and agricultural variables will be carried out before installation. Each solar tree will be equipped with sensors to constantly monitor environmental, generation and agricultural data, allowing for real-time monitoring of energy output, system stability and crop data. This preliminary data will be used for system adjustments to achieve both energy and agricultural objectives. Furthermore, AI and machine learning models will be developed for predictive maintenance and performance optimization. The developed models will use the measured data to improve system reliability, durability and efficiency in outdoor environments with soiling from agricultural activities. Also, crop yield studies will be conducted to determine the impact of Agro-PV on agricultural productivity. The system's long-term performance, effects on agricultural production, economic feasibility, and wider application possibilities will all be examined in the project's final phase. This will help establish solar tree-based Agro-PV as a model for adoption in diverse scenarios. Thus, this innovative project will promote food and energy security for rural people by providing a sustainable solution for areas unsuitable for conventional Agro-PV installations.