Student Research Reports
Analyzing the Impact of Solar Arrays on Surrounding Vegetation in Agrivoltaic Farming for Performance Optimization
Country:United States of America
Student(s):Yuki Qian, Ethan Poon, Eric Mittelman, Michael Manders, Enyan Perales
Grade Level:Secondary School (grades 9-12, ages 14-18)
GLOBE Educator(s):Cassie Soeffing
Contributors:Dr. Rusty Low, SME, IGES, mentor
Peder Nelson, SME, Oregon State University, mentor
Andrew Clark, SME, IGES, mentor
Dr. Erika Podest, SME, NASA JPL, mentor
Report Type(s):International Virtual Science Symposium Report, Mission Mosquito Report
Protocols:Land Cover Classification, Earth As a System
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Presentation Poster:
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Language(s):English
Date Submitted:01/10/2025
This project investigates the impact of solar arrays on surrounding vegetation within agrivoltaic systems to enhance operational efficiency. Agrivoltaics, which combines agricultural practices with solar energy production on the same land, offers a sustainable alternative to exclusive solar installations on agricultural land. By diversifying income for farmers and addressing energy equity issues in less grid-connected areas, agrivoltaics can play a crucial role in sustainable energy and rural economic development. The study focuses on understanding the intricate balance between energy production and agricultural yield in agrivoltaic sites. Solar panels create microclimates that influence plant growth dynamics, necessitating a comprehensive analysis of these effects. The primary research question explores the feasibility of using remote sensing tools and satellite data to assess the impact of solar arrays on vegetation health and productivity, thereby informing future agrivoltaic projects. The first step was identifying agrivoltaic sites across the United States by integrating global observer AOI data with the US Solar Photovoltaic Database (USPVDB). Then, LANDSAT satellite imagery is used to analyze these locations, leveraging NDVI, spectral wavelengths (particularly red wavelengths indicative of photosynthesis), and TCG data to monitor changes in vegetation over time from before and after solar array installation.
The data from each location is then combined to evaluate average changes across the points. The results showed an 18.5% decrease in NDVI and a 54.2% decrease in TCG, suggesting a decline in overall vegetation health and photosynthetic activity following the installation of solar panels, while the 40.6% decrease in Band 4 suggests potential for enhanced photosynthesis under certain conditions due to the solar panels. These results highlight the complex relationship between solar arrays and surrounding vegetation in Agrivoltaics and provide valuable insight into the factors to be considered for the successful implementation of agrivoltaic projects.