Analysis of Soybean Behavior When Inserted in an Agrivoltaic System
Abstract
The integration of food and energy production through agrivoltaic systems represents a promising strategy for enhancing land-use efficiency and promoting sustainable development. This study investigates soybean productivity within elevated and vertical agrivoltaic configurations in Piracicaba, Brazil, using simulations based on photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and crop response curves derived from CO₂ assimilation under two hydric conditions: well-watered and drought-stressed. The analysis incorporated multiple structural layouts with variations in module height and row spacing to assess the influence of geometry on light distribution, energy generation, and crop yield. Results indicate that shading from the photovoltaic modules had minimal impact on soybean productivity during the growth season. Average agricultural productivity ranged from 62% to 84% of reference values, with losses primarily attributed to the terrain area covered by modules. Despite reduced photovoltaic generation, the combined system achieved Land Equivalent Ratios (LER) between 1.19 and 1.25 for both hydric conditions, demonstrating that the coexistence of soybean cultivation and solar generation enhances overall land-use efficiency by approximately 20% compared to conventional single-use systems. Vertical layouts exhibited particularly favorable results, maintaining over 82% crop productivity, suggesting that this configuration effectively balances shading and irradiance distribution. These findings reinforce the potential of agrivoltaic systems to synergize renewable energy generation with sustainable agricultural production in tropical regions.
Keywords
Soybean, photovoltaic solar energy, agrivoltaic, shading