A SIMULATION FRAMEWORK FOR AGRIVOLTAIC SYSTEMS: DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

The rising demand for renewable energy has led to an increased deployment of ground-mounted Photovoltaic (PV) systems on arable land, often triggering competition between food production and energy generation. Advanced Agrivoltaic (AV) systems offer a promising solution by allowing crop cultivation underneath and between rows of elevated PV panels. This paper presents the design and performance evaluation of an advanced AV system focused on potato cultivation in the Follonica area (Tuscany, Italy). A modeling approach was used to quantify both solar energy generation and the impact of partial shading on the crop. Two-dimensional simulations of ground irradiance were carried out to assess the shading footprint from tilted PV arrays throughout the day. Subsequently, a crop-growth model was employed to estimate biomass production under these varying light conditions. Results include assessments of shading distribution, potato yield, and agronomic feasibility. The analysis indicates that while shading can reduce incident radiation in certain parts of the field, it also mitigates water stress under high-evapotranspiration conditions. In the selected layout, yields in specific shaded corridors were comparable or even 10% higher than those grown under full sunlight, demonstrating the potential synergy between renewable energy production and crop cultivation.