Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society ISSN:1598-6411(Print) 2508-3562(Online) 한국태양에너지학회 논문집

This study entailed computational simulations and empirical measurements on solar radiation changes in farmland owing to shade generated from the lower part of an independent pillar-type agrophotovoltaic system structure with improved performance and economic feasibility. The computational simulation and empirical results show a relatively low average solar radiation incident ratio at positions 3–7. In particular, at position 5, the average solar radiation incident ratio exhibits the lowest value, as indicated by the computer simulation and demonstration results. Consequently, three types of improved models were devised to improve the long-term shading area at positions 3–7. The average solar radiation incident ratio on the direct rear side of the module in Model 1 is lower than that of the existing system, whereas that on the direct rear side of Model 2 is 74.4%, which is the highest value. Furthermore, the corresponding value on the direct rear side of the module in Model 3 is 70.0%, which was higher than that of the existing system. Therefore, Models 2 and 3 demonstrate that the growth environment of crops could be improved using an agrophotovoltaic system.