MAXIMISING SUNLIGHT RESOURCES FOR COST, ENERGY AND YIELD EFFICIENT GREENHOUSES

Project Information

SUN4GREEN

Grant agreement ID: 756006

DOI

10.3030/756006

Project closed

EC signature date 28 March 2017

Start date 1 April 2017

End date 30 September 2019

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland water research, and the bioeconomy

Total cost

€ 1 830 796,25

EU contribution

€ 1 281 557,38

Coordinated by

RUFEPA TECNOAGRO, S.L.
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SUN4GREEN (MAXIMISING SUNLIGHT RESOURCES FOR COST, ENERGY AND YIELD EFFICIENTGREENHOUSES)

Reporting period: 2018-04-01 to 2019-09-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

SUN4GREEN is the result of the joined forces of two companies RUFEPA and SUNBOOST to bring to the market a photovoltaic greenhouse technology.
SUN4GREEN is born from the need of greenhouse farmers to reduce their energy costs while they also maintain or increase their crops productivity. SUN4GREEN aims to deliver a solution to those farmers thanks to a new smart design which allows a dual profitable photovoltaic and crop harvesting. This is achieved through a revolutionary solution which combines in a greenhouse (GH) structure a patented assembly system of photovoltaic (PV) panels with optical collectors (boosters), which enables seasonal control of solar energy for crop development and PV power generation by preventing in summer excess light from reaching crops and turning it into electricity, while in winter light is able to reach crops without any problem.
SUN4GREEN targets to commercialize a disruptive system that enables combining PV systems on a greenhouse (GH), while ensuring its agriculture efficiency.
Through the introduction of the SUN4GREEN dual sun and crop harvesting solution, farmers will benefit from a revolutionary system which combines in a GH structure a novel assembly of PV panels with patented optical collectors (boosters), enabling seasonal control of solar energy for crop development and PV power generation and thus being able to safeguard the maximum level of agriculture yields.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the first period, the Booster and system design have been optimized though optical simulation and through discussion with the booster manufacturer. Optimization was performed taking into account constraints on greenhouse geometry and PV panels and booster positioning. Manufacturing sensitivity were identified and considered with booster manufacturer. Critical tempering yield issues were solved and verified through testing.
Calculations for the full combined system were initiated and different calculation approaches were reviewed. Glass booster manufacturing was thoroughly discussed with manufacturer and ordered. Greenhouse design was adapted to the SUN4GREEN requirements, specific design components were manufactured and greenhouse installation started. Field experiment design was performed. Dissemination and communication were performed through several channels; through website and through exhibitions in Israel, Mexico and Germany.

During the second part of the project we have completed the construction of the Greenhouse prototype according to the requirements established in the previous period. The monitoring of different crops have been carried out with and without boosters and diffrent results have been obtained in terms of energy production to analyze the performance of the prototype. A mathematical model have also been completed and validated by the University of Almería subcontractor.
An intense work of dissemination have also been performed in this period.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The expected final results are:
- To optimise glass boosters optical design and achieve a glass thickness<5mm, keeping the same technical features.
- To achieve up to 30% increase of PV panels’ energy production in summer thanks to the use of boosters.
- To reach a final design of SUN4GREEN basic PVGH model, including electrical layout.
- To manufacture and install a PVGH prototype, split into two sections: a PVGH and a conventional one, and demonstrate that crop yields do not suffer significant yield decreases, at 95% confidence, as well as the electricity production capability and the autonomy of the system.
- To develop a tool to support commercialisation by estimating the electricity generation of the PVGH in different locations across the world.

SUN4GREEN technology

SUN4GREEN greenhouse