Agrivoltaics Modeling
Sandbox Solar has developed a agrivoltaics modeling framework for accurately forecasting agricultural and photovoltaic production, air temperatures, soil moisture, and estimated water savings for locations throughout the United States.
SANDBOX SOLAR AGRIVOLTAIC RESEARCH
In 2019, Sandbox Solar was awarded a USDA SBIR Phase 1 grant to study agrivoltaics with semi-transparent technologies. Sandbox installed 9 separate pole mounts with 3 different panel transparencies. Our team has been working with the CSU Horticulture Department to collect crop yields and growing environment data. Since 2019, Sandbox Solar has conducted agrivoltaics modeling research.
We currently have validated our irradiance performance assumption by using a state of the art tool developed by Ladybug Tools. Additionally, we were able to host a meeting with NREL to compare our tool to the ray tracing bifacial radiance model developed by NREL. Our tool currently exceeds expectations for irradiance accuracy. From these results, we are able to confidently use the irradiance model to deliver metrics with a list of suggested crops that would work in such conditions.
Model AttributionsTractor by Poly by Google [CC-BY], via Poly Pizza Tomato by Zoe XR [CC-BY], via Poly Pizza Field of wheat by Poly by Google [CC-BY], via Poly Pizza Head of lettuce by jeremy [CC-BY], via Poly Pizza Aloe plant by Poly by Google [CC-BY], via Poly Pizza
MODELLING AND SIMULATION
Sandbox Solar has developed a agrivoltaics modeling framework for accurately forecasting agricultural and photovoltaic production, air temperatures, soil moisture, and estimated water savings for locations throughout the United States.
AGRIVOLTAICS PARTNERS
