AgriPV, or Agrivoltaics as it is also referred to, is a massive new emerging worldwide industry which involves the dual use of land for solar power generation and agriculture. Solar panels are installed on mounting structures which are high enough above ground level to allow agricultural practices to be carried out under the panels.
In many parts of the world, there is growing resistance to the use of conventional ground-mounted solar energy systems, as they prevent land from being used for agricultural purposes. AgriPV provides a solution to this problem.
It has been shown that the shading effect of the solar panels reduces the amount of water required to grow plants which is a huge benefit in water scare agricultural regions. The cooling effect of the microenvironment under the panels also has been shown to increase the efficiency of the power generation of panels (the efficiency of solar panels decreases when they get too hot)
In general, shade tolerant plants such as leafy greens, peppers, brassicas and some varieties of tomatoes, thrive under the shade of the panels. Research being carried out, especially in the USA, is showing a marked increase in the quantity and quality of produce grown under AgriPV. Research is continuing to see what other types of crops and pastures can be grown successfully under the solar panels.
The AgriPV support structure that will be installed to carry solar panels for the Agricool project, has been specifically designed by Flomack, for horticultural purposes. The sides and ends of the structure can be left open or can be closed in using clear plastic to give a “greenhouse effect”. This will allow all year-round crop production in some areas where cold winters are a limiting factor to growing certain crops such as tomatoes.
Cold rooms are a crucial part of the AGRICOOL project, designed to tackle the issues surrounding cold chain logistics in Africa. Traditional cold chambers on the continent often suffer from poor construction and lack of maintenance, leading to inefficiencies in operation. Addressing this challenge is key to AGRICOOL’s goal of delivering sustainable, off-grid cold storage solutions.
Given the project’s reliance on photovoltaic (PV) panels and the energy-intensive nature of refrigeration, optimizing the cold room’s efficiency is paramount. To achieve this, the insulation of the cold rooms will be much thicker than standard installations, a practice that is still rare in Africa. This increased insulation reduces the cooling demand, allowing for a smaller PV array and making the cost of the system more accessible.
The cold room will operate at a positive temperature and include a pre-chamber, a feature typically used in sub-zero systems. This pre-chamber will control moisture infiltration, which can otherwise increase the latent load on the system, reducing overall efficiency. By managing this issue, the cold room will function more effectively, especially in the context of off-grid rural locations.
Latent Thermal Storage for Night-Time CoolingTo maintain temperature during the night, when PV panels cannot generate power, AGRICOOL will implement a latent thermal storage system using ice as the storage medium. Ice offers a high energy density—4 to 7 times greater than conventional thermal storage—due to the energy absorbed and released during the phase transition between water and ice. During the day, part of the chiller’s cooling capacity will be used to freeze water into ice. At night, the energy released from the melting ice will keep the cold room at the required temperature, ensuring continuous operation without relying on grid power.
By combining advanced insulation, a pre-chamber design, and a latent thermal storage system, AGRICOOL’s cold rooms offer a highly efficient and sustainable solution for rural African communities. This approach not only reduces energy consumption but also lowers the overall cost of cold chain infrastructure, providing a scalable model for off-grid cold storage across the continent.
In recent years, Genius Watter has implemented several desalination plants across Africa, addressing the challenges posed by unstable and unreliable electrical grids in rural areas. Farmers in these regions are often forced to rely on diesel generators, which are both costly and environmentally harmful. The introduction of photovoltaic (PV) panels has provided a sustainable solution for generating fresh and potable water during daylight hours. However, when it comes to refrigeration systems, cooling capacity cannot be limited to daytime; continuous control is crucial for maintaining optimal temperatures.
To overcome this obstacle, Genius Watter is developing a smart control strategy based on its patented technology. This system focuses on efficient energy management by integrating PV panels, refrigeration units, and thermal energy storage. The goal is to enable the generation and storage of cold energy during the day, ensuring that cooling needs are met even during the night. By optimizing energy use and storage, this smart control solution will provide uninterrupted refrigeration, essential for preserving food, medicine, and other temperature-sensitive products in off-grid areas across Africa.
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