Discover a World with Agrivoltaics
Why Agrivoltaics?
Agrivoltaics combines agricultural land use with the production of renewable photovoltaic electricity. It allows for the production of food crops and electricity generation at the same time, while optimizing soil protection and water savings.
With a large shift to renewables already underway both here in the United States and globally, a strong emphasis has been put on finding new ways to merge photovoltaic and agricultural production. Understanding, identifying, and predicting crop yields is critical to the success of these systems and will enable more efficient use of water supplies while meeting the growing demand for energy consumption.
FOOD
Keeping agricultural lands in production & maintaining access to sustainable and nutritious food.
ENERGY
Supplying the demand for renewable energy demand for a growing population in urban and rural regions of the world.
WATER
Reducing water consumption & maintaining clean water access for a growing population.
Sandbox Solar Agrivoltaic Research
In the summer of 2018, Sandbox Solar was granted a CSU Energy Institute 2018 Internship to pilot study agrivoltaics. This initial pilot study was conducted from June – October 2018 at CSU’s ARDEC South Research Farm. Three types of panels with varying transparency were tested along with the growing conditions and plant growth.
In 2019, Sandbox Solar was granted a USDA NIFA SBIR Phase 1 award to continue the study of agrivoltaics with semi-transparent technologies. Sandbox installed 9 separate pole mounts with 3 different panel transparencies. Our team has been working with the CSU Specialty Crops Program to collect data yield data and growing environment data.
Modelling Agrivoltaic Solutions
Analysis of the recorded yield and environmental data from this study has allowed us to develop a model for accurately forecasting agricultural and photovoltaic production, air temperatures, soil moisture, and estimated water savings for a given panel transparency, orientation, and location throughout the United States. (INFO NEEDED)
Live Sensor Data
Below is a live visualization using sensor data from our pilot program located in Fort Collins, CO.
Irradiance (W.m*2)
How it’s measured?
Irradiance is the flux of radiant energy per unit area (normal to the direction of flow of radiant energy through a medium).
Why it matters:
 (INFO NEEDED)
Average Temperature (ºF)
How it’s measured?
Average air temperature under the panels was measured using (INFO NEEDED)
Why it matters:
Air temperatures under the panels greatly affect the crop yield. Too much (INFO NEEDED)
Soil Moisture (%)
Hows it’s measured?
Probes inserted in the ground measured soil moisture at a depth of (INFO NEEDED).
Why it matters:
(INFO NEEDED)
Get In Touch
sales@sandboxsolar.com
970-673-7733
430 N College Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524
M-F 7AM-6PM
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