رسائل ماجيستير
English
2024
Use of Agrivoltaic to Enhance Cucumber Production in the Hot and Arid Climate of UAE: a Sustainable Approach for Food and Clean Energy Security
Ali El-Keblawy, Amna Al-Ali , Di Zhang, Nouar Taber
كلية الهندسة-جامعة الشارقة · الامارات
The rapidly growing global population requires sustainable measures to ensure the availability of energy, water, and food. Agrivoltaics is a promising solution that combines photovoltaic (PV) systems with agriculture, especially in hot and dry regions likethe United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study aimed to explore an agrivoltaic system that utilizes mono-facial PV modules to enhance shade-tolerant cucumbers' growth in the UAE's challenging climate. The research was conducted in October, evaluating cucumbergrowth and fruit production under PV modules and direct sunlight while considering the adverse effects of the intense sun of the UAE on agricultural viability.The PV modules were positioned at a 25° tilt and a height of 2 meters. The results of the study showed that cucumbers grown in the shade of PV modules had better growth and fruit production parameters and experienced lower mortality rates than those exposed to direct sunlight. The research identified a notable negative correlation between the growthparameters and the distance from the center of the panels, which highlighted the reasonableimpact of shading patterns on agricultural productivity. This study underscores the potential of agrivoltaics as a promising approach to simultaneously achieve sustainable energy production and enhance agricultural yield in arid environments. By integrating PV systems with crop cultivation, this research contributes to the body of knowledge on sustainable agricultural practices in hot climates and underscores the potential for agrivoltaics to mitigate land use conflicts, conserve water, and improve food security in the UAE.This research addresses the challenges of energy production and agricultural productivity in dry regions by proposing a model that combines the potential of agrivoltaics. The study carefully analyzes growth and productivity metrics, demonstrating the feasibility of integrating solar energy harvesting with agricultural practices. This model offers valuable insights into optimizing land use for dual purposes. Future research directions include scaling the study, exploring the efficacy of bifacial modules, and assessing the system's performance across different crop types and climatic conditions. This research paves the way for a sustainable, energy-efficient, and food-secure future.