World News17.01.2023
TotalEnergies announces results of vertical agrivoltaic pilots in France
QAZAQ GREEN. French energy giant TotalEnergies studied the impact of solar panels on crops in order to develop a repository of agronomic benefits. The initial results show an increase in agricultural yields on field crops and a reduction in water stress,PV Magazine reports.
TotalEnergies has unveiled the results of the first harvest from three agrivoltaic demonstrators in the French municipalities of Channay (Côte-d'Or), Rivals (Aude), and Valpuiseaux (Essonne).
It said it aims to study the impact of solar panels on crops in order to be able to develop a repository of the agronomic benefits of agrivoltaic projects. For this purpose, it chose different configurations of PV systems and crops.
The agrivoltaic plant in Le Channay, for example, is made up of vertical bifacial photovoltaic panels with 237 kW of power. There are 12 meters of spacing between the modules, as well as several types of crops, including wheat and aromatic herbs.
TotalEnergies said it is analyzing the contribution of photovoltaics on a plot of land with declining yield. It noted that the Le Channay location is subject to climatic challenges such as wind, frost and drought.
During the summer 2022 harvest, TotalEnergies, agronomy consultancy Agrosolutions, Dijon Céréales, and Next2Sun were able to record an increase in yield of 1 quintal per hectare for wheat compared to previous harvests and 2 quintals for lentils. They found that wheat protein levels increased by 2%. One explanation could be the protection against high winds, as the panels reduce average wind speeds by 14 km/hour.
TotalEnergies also developed the Valpuiseaux site with Agrosolutions, Agrinovex and Next2Sun. It features vertical bifacial modules. In addition, it developed the Rivals demonstrator with Sudexpe, IFV, InVivo and Ombrea, with 87 kW deployed above pomegranate trees and vines.
The group of companies said the results will now need to be confirmed over time. TotalEnergies currently has more than 140 agrivoltaic projects in various stages of development.
Biden announces $7 billion for solar energy in low-income communities
Production of a solar energy storage battery has started in Vilnius
Ainur Sosanova: Clear rules are needed for functioning of bilateral contracts market
Process to submit applications for RES auctions to construct HPPs and WPPs has commenced in Kazakhstan
JinkoSolar recognized as a Tier 1 Energy Storage Provider by BNEF
Japanese satellites will transmit solar power to Earth
Australia has planned a 1 GW hydroelectric power plant at former coal pit
Apple ramps up investment in clean energy and water around the world
Two countries in Europe are powered by 100% renewable energy as wind capacity soars
IRENA’s report: Transition to renewables calls for new approach to energy security
New wind power plant to be built in Baku
Cost of bringing wind power plants into operation drops by more than one-third
Energy ministers and leaders to discuss the future of renewable energy in Abu Dhabi
Hungary boasts the EU's largest geothermal system
EC adoped of the strengthened Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
90-GWh thermal energy storage facility could heat a city for a year
Europe embraces speedier, riskier way of building power grids
Former SpaceX, General Motors engineers turn to space-based solar power
The US just beat its goal to permit 25 GW of clean energy by 2025
New quantum material boosts solar cell efficiency to 190%