Electrical Energy Producing Greenhouse Shading System with a Semi-Transparent Photovoltaic Blind Based on Micro-Spherical Solar Cells

Zhi Li, Akira Yano, Marco Cossu, Hidekazu Yoshioka, Ichiro Kita and Yasuomi Ibaraki
Additional contact information
Zhi Li: The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Tottori University, 4-101 Koyama-Minami, Tottori 680-8553, Japan
Akira Yano: Institute of Environmental Systems Science, Shimane University, 1060 Nishikawatsu, Matsue, Shimane 690-8504, Japan
Marco Cossu: Department of Agriculture, University of Sassari, Viale Italia 39, 07100 Sassari, Italy
Hidekazu Yoshioka: Institute of Environmental Systems Science, Shimane University, 1060 Nishikawatsu, Matsue, Shimane 690-8504, Japan
Ichiro Kita: Institute of Environmental Systems Science, Shimane University, 1060 Nishikawatsu, Matsue, Shimane 690-8504, Japan
Yasuomi Ibaraki: Faculty of Agriculture, Yamaguchi University, 1677-1 Yoshida, Yamaguchi 753-8515, Japan

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 7, 1-23

Abstract: An increasing population and limited arable land area endanger sufficient and variegated food supplies worldwide. Greenhouse cultivation enables highly intensive plant production and thereby enables the production of abundant fresh vegetables and fruits. The salient benefits of greenhouse cultivation are supported by ingenious management of crop environments, assisted by fossil fuel and grid electricity supplies. To reduce dependence on traditional energy resources, various studies have investigated exploitation of renewable energies for greenhouse environment management. Among them, solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies are anticipated to feed electrical energy to greenhouse appliances for microclimate control. This study proposes a venetian-blind-type shading system consisting of semi-transparent PV modules as blind blades based on micro-spherical solar cell technology to achieve greenhouse shading and electricity production concurrently. In response to the solar irradiance level, the PV blind inclination was altered automatically using a direct current (DC) motor driven by electrical energy generated by the PV blind itself. The PV blind was operated continuously during a five-month test period without outage. Moreover, the PV blind generated surplus electrical energy of 2125 kJ for blind system operations during the test period. The annual surplus energy calculated under the present experimental condition was 7.8 kWh m −2 year −1 , suggesting that application of the PV blind to a greenhouse roof enables sunlight level control and electrical appliance operations in the greenhouse with a diminished fuel and grid electricity supply, particularly in high-insolation regions.

Keywords: cultivation; food supply; sunlight; plant; renewable energy; solar energy; stand-alone; venetian-blind (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (14)

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