Luminescent solar concentrator for greenhouse agrivoltaics

Solar panels based on a luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) are integrated into a high tunnel style of greenhouse for the simultaneous production of crops and electricity. The semi-transparent solar panels were 1.25 sq.m./panel with a solar power conversion efficiency of 9.0% and were installed into half of a 460 sq.m. high tunnel style greenhouse with a generation capacity of 6.5 kW. The other half of the greenhouse was covered by a conventional polyethylene (PE) greenhouse film as a control. Lettuce, leafy greens, turmeric, and strawberries were grown in both sections of the greenhouse in winter. Results from the crop trials showed that lettuce and leafy greens produced up to 2.4 times higher fresh weight under the LSC panels relative to the clear PE film. Turmeric had 1.25 times higher fresh weight under the LSC panels, and strawberries were statistically equivalent. Improved crop growth under the LSC panels is likely a combination of reduced crop stress under the panels and a higher “quality” of light under the LSC panels with a higher red/green ratio relative to the PE film due to the luminescent pigment in the panels.