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The American company Sunstall has deployed a vertical agrivoltaic installation in the United States based on its racking solution. The system consists of 18 rows of 21 panels and has a total capacity of 170 kW.
American startup Sunstall has installed an agrivoltaic system based on its patented racking solution for vertical photovoltaic installations.
The solar array is part of a research project carried out by Rutgers University in New Jersey. The system, facing south, consists of 18 rows of 21 panels with a total power of 170 kW.
“Rutgers selected 450W ZnShine bifacial solar modules with a 70% bifaciality rate,” the company explains. “The orientation of the panels was varied throughout the system, allowing the optimal orientation to be determined. “Power optimizers were installed to be able to track the output of the panel pairs, ensuring optimal power generation and efficiency.”
In the experimental design, Sunstall used two different row spacings and panel mounting heights.
“Researchers will plant a forage crop in April and begin grazing cattle in September,” the company said. “The goal is to study the impacts of the agrivoltaic system on forage production and animal grazing, including any behavioral changes that animals may show when grazing between the panels.”
According to the manufacturer, the Sunzaun shelving system can guarantee up to 120 cm of clearance from the ground and is capable of withstanding a maximum wind speed of 167 km/h. It can be installed in flat areas and in areas with a slope of up to 15 degrees.
The racking system is designed to house vertically oriented bifacial solar panels. The design uses holes in the module frames for simple fixing to two piles, avoiding the need for a heavy shelving system.
The vertical orientation of the panels leads to a production curve at the service of the network, avoiding the midday production peak of traditional installations. It has other dual-use advantages, such as shading crops and saving irrigation water. |
