The effects of the co-location of energy production from a photovoltaic (PV) plant and aromatic crops (thyme, oregano, and Greek mountain tea) in a hot and dry environment have been investigated in Enel Green Power PV plant located in Kourtesi (Greece). The study was aimed at evaluating the influence of the PV plant on microclimate, on soil temperature and water potential, and on the crops’ growth in a testing area (the corridors between two modules rows) compared to a full sunlight control area. The net radiation and of the wind speed recorded in the testing area showed a 44% and 38% reduction respectively, compared to the control area, while air temperature and relative humidity did not show any difference. Among crop/soil monitored parameters, cumulative reference evapotranspiration (ET0) and the average soil temperature were found 29% and 8% lower in the testing area, conversely the soil water potential (SWP) was 34% higher compared to control area. No significant differences in the plant growth have been detected between testing and control areas, except for oregano whose weight was higher in testing area. The results suggest that in hot and dry climatic conditions, the reduction of climatic stress could compensate the decrease of photosynthesis due to the shading effect of the PV modules, thus not damaging crops’ growth.
Effects of a Photovoltaic Plant on Microclimate and Crops’ Growth in a Mediterranean Area / Fagnano, Massimo; Fiorentino, Nunzio; Visconti, Donato; Maria Baldi, Gian; Falce, Michele; Acutis, Marco; Genovese, Maria; Di Blasi, Miriam. - In: AGRONOMY. - ISSN 2073-4395. - 14:3(2024), pp. 1-11. [10.3390/agronomy14030466]
Effects of a Photovoltaic Plant on Microclimate and Crops’ Growth in a Mediterranean Area
Massimo Fagnano
Conceptualization
;Nunzio FiorentinoWriting – Review & Editing
;Donato ViscontiData Curation
;
2024
Abstract
The effects of the co-location of energy production from a photovoltaic (PV) plant and aromatic crops (thyme, oregano, and Greek mountain tea) in a hot and dry environment have been investigated in Enel Green Power PV plant located in Kourtesi (Greece). The study was aimed at evaluating the influence of the PV plant on microclimate, on soil temperature and water potential, and on the crops’ growth in a testing area (the corridors between two modules rows) compared to a full sunlight control area. The net radiation and of the wind speed recorded in the testing area showed a 44% and 38% reduction respectively, compared to the control area, while air temperature and relative humidity did not show any difference. Among crop/soil monitored parameters, cumulative reference evapotranspiration (ET0) and the average soil temperature were found 29% and 8% lower in the testing area, conversely the soil water potential (SWP) was 34% higher compared to control area. No significant differences in the plant growth have been detected between testing and control areas, except for oregano whose weight was higher in testing area. The results suggest that in hot and dry climatic conditions, the reduction of climatic stress could compensate the decrease of photosynthesis due to the shading effect of the PV modules, thus not damaging crops’ growth.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
---|---|---|---|
Fagnano et al 2024.pdf
accesso aperto
Descrizione: articolo completo
Tipologia:
Versione Editoriale (PDF)
Licenza:
Dominio pubblico
Dimensione
2.47 MB
Formato
Adobe PDF
|
2.47 MB | Adobe PDF | Visualizza/Apri |
I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.