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Selective light transmission in agrivoltaics: Modeling light spectra and photosynthetic rate
Mälardalen University, School of Business, Society and Engineering, Future Energy Center.ORCID iD: 0000-0003-4075-8855
University of Padova, Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, Via Marzolo 9, Padova, 35131, Italy.
Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Engineering Research Centre of Solar Energy and Refrigeration of MOE, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai, 200240, China.
Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council (CNR-IPSP), Via Madonna del Piano 10 Sesto Fiorentino, Firenze, 50019, Italy.
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2025 (English)In: Nexus, ISSN 2950-1601, Vol. 2, no 3, article id 100074Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

While most agrivoltaic systems use opaque silicon photovoltaics, their excessive shading has shifted interest toward semi-transparent wavelength-selective photovoltaic (WSPV) technologies. These technologies aim to transmit light beneficial for crops’ growth while converting unused wavelengths into electricity. This study presents two modeling approaches: one for simulating light transmission through WSPV systems and the other for estimating leaf photosynthetic rates from the wavelengths received at the crop level. Both models incorporate the composition of the light spectrum, an aspect often overlooked in earlier models where broadband light values were sufficient. However, in WSPV systems, consideration of the spectral light distribution is key. The models were validated using experimental data from semi-transparent magenta-colored cadmium telluride (CdTe) WSPV systems, demonstrating satisfactory accuracy (R2 > 0.89). Additionally, the study evaluates two metrics, the yield photon flux (YPF) and effective photosynthetically active radiation (EPAR), to assess the photosynthetic efficiency of WSPV technologies in terms of light quality. A global crop suitability assessment, based on light requirements (light quantity) for different plants, highlights the potential of various WSPV technologies in agrivoltaics and aims to guide their future implementation. For instance, semi-transparent magenta CdTe PV and red-transmittance-dominated organic PV (OPV) modules, with average PAR light transmittance around 20%, appear to provide effective shading in most regions. These systems can support medium-light plants (daily light integral [DLI] >6 mol m−2 day−1) even in higher latitudes during sunnier months. Conversely, blue-dominated OPV and a neutral-colored semi-transparent crystalline silicon PV provide higher transmittance (around 50%), making them suitable for plants with very high light demands (DLI >16 mol m−2 day−1), but the quality of the light transmitted is less efficient or unaltered in terms of photosynthetic performance with respect to sunlight. 

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier BV , 2025. Vol. 2, no 3, article id 100074
Keywords [en]
agri-PV, dual-land use, optimization, photosynthetic efficiency, photosynthetic rate modeling, selective light, SMARTS, spectral irradiance, wavelength-selective solar photovoltaic
National Category
Mechanical Engineering
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:mdh:diva-73118DOI: 10.1016/j.ynexs.2025.100074ISI: 001767889700008Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105013669926OAI: oai:DiVA.org:mdh-73118DiVA, id: diva2:1992398
Available from: 2025-08-27 Created: 2025-08-27 Last updated: 2026-05-27Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. A Solar Irradiance Journey into Agrivoltaics: From Light Quantity to Quality
Open this publication in new window or tab >>A Solar Irradiance Journey into Agrivoltaics: From Light Quantity to Quality
2026 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Agrivoltaics integrate agricultural activities with solar photovoltaic (PV) energy conversion on the same land, offering a promising solution to competing demands for food and renewable energy. However, agrivoltaic systems introduce complex interactions between PV installations and crops, primarily by altering both the quantity and quality of solar irradiance reaching the canopy. This thesis investigated solar irradiance in agrivoltaic systems from both broadband and spectral perspectives, combining modelling developments with experimental validation to improve system assessment and design. From a light-quantity perspective, the work advances methods for estimating photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), with a particular focus on its diffuse component, which is highly relevant for plant growth but rarely measured. Existing broadband irradiance decomposition models were adapted and evaluated for high-latitude conditions, demonstrating that performance depends strongly on local calibration and solar geometry. A new PAR decomposition model was developed and shown to outperform commonly used approaches under Nordic conditions. The results also highlighted a trade-off between model complexity and data availability, indicating that simpler models may be preferable when high-quality input data are limited. In parallel, the influence of ground albedo on irradiance and power output in bifacial PV systems was examined, revealing that ground-reflected irradiance can contribute substantially to plane-of-array irradiance, particularly under high-albedo conditions such as snow. Incorporating time-varying albedo significantly improves modelling accuracy compared to static assumptions. Beyond broadband irradiance, the thesis addressed spectral light management through novel wavelength-selective PV (WSPV) technologies. A classification framework for WSPVs in agricultural applications was developed to enable systematic comparison of spectral selectivity approaches and implementation pathways. To support implementation, spectral-aware modelling frameworks were developed to simulate light transmission through WSPVs and estimate leaf-level photosynthetic responses. These models were validated against experimental data and applied to assess crop suitability and optimise spectral transmittance across different climates to aid future designs. Based on current constraints, a higher transmission of blue and red wavelengths favoured crop productivity and full transparency within the PAR range was not required to sustain growth. Finally, the feasibility of WSPV-based agrivoltaics was demonstrated through a full-season, open-field experiment using semi-transparent magenta cadmium telluride thin-film PV modules, where crop yields were comparable to open-field conditions while radiation use efficiency and land-use productivity increased. Overall, this work advances the modelling and experimental foundations of agrivoltaics by improving irradiance assessment, integrating spectral effects, and validating emerging PV technologies under field conditions providing insights for researchers, industry, and policymakers.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Västerås: Mälardalen University, 2026
Series
Mälardalen University Press Dissertations, ISSN 1651-4238 ; 460
Keywords
Agrivoltaics, Albedo, Photosynthetically Active Radiation, Decomposition Model, Wavelength-Selective PV, Semi-Transparent PV, Solar Irradiance
National Category
Energy Engineering
Research subject
Energy- and Environmental Engineering
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:mdh:diva-75386 (URN)978-91-7485-747-4 (ISBN)
Public defence
2026-03-06, Delta, Mälardalens universitet, Västerås, 14:00 (English)
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Supervisors
Available from: 2026-01-21 Created: 2026-01-20 Last updated: 2026-02-13Bibliographically approved

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Ma Lu, SilviaCampana, Pietro Elia

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