Opportunities for the Use of Agrivoltaic Systems in Animal Barns: The Example of Buffalo Barns

Abstract

The utilization of fossil fuels has accelerated with technological advancements and population growth. The increase in harmful gas emissions from non-renewable energy sources is a significant contributor to climate change. To mitigate this threat, there has been a shift towards renewable energy sources, particularly solar energy. The placement of solar panel systems on agricultural land has given rise to agrivoltaic systems, which combine energy production and agricultural use of the same land. However, the installation of agrivoltaic systems often requires considerable agricultural land. In livestock farming, such as water buffalo barns, solar panels can be installed on barn roofs or over cooling ponds used by buffaloes, thus preventing the loss of agricultural land. For a closed water buffalo barn with a floor area of 588.3 m² (11.1 × 53.0 m), housing 70 animals, 13 fans with a capacity of 9500 m³ h-1 are required for ventilation and cooling. Additionally, 23.5 m² of cooling pads and a circulation pump with a 0.2 kWh capacity are necessary. A solar panel system of 14–15 kWh can meet the energy requirements for ventilation and cooling. When controlled, the panel system would occupy 156 m² of land, which expands to 312 m² if designed as an agrivoltaic system. Installing solar panels over buffalo cooling ponds can significantly reduce water loss caused by evaporation in summer.

Keywords

• Agrivoltaic
• Anatolian water buffalo barn
• Solar panel system
• Ventilation
• Cooling

Opportunities for The Use of Agrivoltaic Systems in Animal Barns: A Case Study of Water Buffalo Barns

Abstract

The utilization of fossil fuels has accelerated with technological advancements and population growth. The increase in harmful gas emissions from non-renewable energy sources is a significant contributor to climate change. To mitigate this threat, there has been a shift towards renewable energy sources, particularly solar energy. The placement of solar panel systems on agricultural land has given rise to agrivoltaic systems, which combine energy production and agricultural use of the same land. However, the installation of agrivoltaic systems often requires considerable agricultural land. In livestock farming, such as water buffalo barns, solar panels can be installed on barn roofs or over cooling ponds used by buffaloes, thus preventing the loss of agricultural land. For a closed water buffalo barn with a floor area of 588.3 m² (11.1 × 53.0 m), housing 70 animals, 13 fans with a capacity of 9500 m³ h-1 are required for ventilation and cooling. Additionally, 23.5 m² of cooling pads and a circulation pump with a 0.2 kWh capacity are necessary. A solar panel system of 14–15 kWh can meet the energy requirements for ventilation and cooling. When controlled, the panel system would occupy 156 m² of land, which expands to 312 m² if designed as an agrivoltaic system. Installing solar panels over buffalo cooling ponds can significantly reduce water loss caused by evaporation in summer.

Keywords

• Agrivoltaic
• Anatolian water buffalo barn
• Solar panel system
• Ventilation
• Cooling

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