Optimizing agrivoltaics electricity generation in Sweden : A techno-economic analysis of latitude-dependent design systems

Abstract: Agrivoltaics have emerged as a viable solution to address the trade-off occurring between the use of land for the cultivation of food and generation of electricity, both of which are essential to humanity. This degree project carried out a techno-economic analysis to assess the impact of optimizing technical parameters on the energy generated by vertical configuration agrivoltaic systems. A simulation was conducted on a 1-hectare land area at varying row distances (5m, 10m, 15m, and 20m) corresponding to different system capacities of 455.9kWp, 227.9kWp, 136.74kWp, and 117.6kWp respectively, along with varying clearance height (0.5m, 1m, and 1.5m), azimuth angles between -90° and 90°, and locations: Västerås, Visby, Lund, Skövde, and Kalmar. The findings highlight the optimal conditions for maximizing specific production (kWh/kWp/year), system production (MWh/year), and financial indicators. In conclusion, 227.9kWp agrivoltaics system at 10m row distance and 1m clearance height, is observed to achieve a balance between system production and specific production, as well exhibiting higher economic profitability. Additionally, Visby among all selected study locations, had the highest electricity production due to its longer sun hours. Keywords: Agrivoltaics, System production, Specific production, Optimization, Row distance, Clearance height, Azimuth angle, Techno-economic analysis, Sun hour.