A Sustainable Agri-Photovoltaic Greenhouse for Lettuce Production in Qatar

Yusra Hasan and William David Lubitz ()
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Yusra Hasan: School of Engineering, Thornbrough Building, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
William David Lubitz: School of Engineering, Thornbrough Building, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 19, 1-22

Abstract: Qatar identified that food supply security, including self-sufficiency in vegetable production and increasing sustainable renewable energy generation, is important for increasing economic and environmental resiliency. Very favorable solar energy resources in Qatar suggest opportunities to simultaneously meet this goal by integrating solar energy generation and food production. This study examines the feasibility of developing a sustainable agri-photovoltaic (APV) greenhouse design. A comprehensive greenhouse with solar energy generation included is developed for year-round operation in Lusail, Qatar. The performance of the system is predicted by integrating meteorological data and MATLAB simulations of system components. Important design considerations included optimizing solar energy generation by fixed solar photovoltaic panels placed on the maximum available surface area of the greenhouse canopy, while balancing crop insolation and energy needs for greenhouse HVAC systems. Electrical energy is also stored in an industrial battery. Results suggest the APV greenhouse is technically and economically viable and that it could provide benefits, including enhancing food security, promoting renewable energy, and contributing to sustainable food and energy production in Qatar.

Keywords: sustainability; agriculture; energy conversion systems; renewable energy; photovoltaic panels (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: 2024
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