Clean energy development is a key moment in efforts to establish energy security and preserve our planet. Due to increasingly affordable construction costs, solar power plants have become the most prevalent renewable energy source. However, these plants are often placed on arable land because of the significant amount of sunlight needed for electricity production. On the other hand, agriculture is equally crucial for a secure future for humanity. To ensure the development of both clean energy and agriculture, the agrisolar concept is being increasingly implemented worldwide.
This year, a small street near Valjevska Kamenica became home to the first agrisolar power plant in our country – the Solar Harvest. Comprising 48 solar panels with a total capacity of 17.5 kilowatts, this power plant is located on the Organela organic farm, an estate nestled in pristine nature. Pavle Đorđević, the farm owner and our interlocutor, described the project as “a symbiosis between people and nature”.
The story of this organic farm dates back to Pavle’s childhood when he dreamed of one day having his land where he could create peace and grow fruits and vegetables. He continued to develop his childhood dreams through his studies at the Faculty of Agriculture, and in 2017, he came across an ad that led him to an abandoned farm, which he turned into fertile and healthy land with a lot of love and effort. A few years later, Pavle produces certified organic fruits and vegetables on his farm.
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“We recently added onto our already successful results by installing a solar power plant”, said Mr Đorđević.
As he explains, the benefits are numerous. One advantage for the plants is the shade created by the solar panels above them. Installed in this manner, the solar panels protect the plants from excessive sunlight and heat, which can harm their growth, and also shield them from weather events such as hail.
Speaking about the benefits of solar panels, it is important to note that their efficiency depends on the temperature. Higher temperatures reduce the efficiency of solar panels in producing electricity. It is well known that plants naturally cool the space around them, and since they are under solar panels, they cool them down as well, increasing their efficiency. Through photosynthesis, plants absorb water from the soil through their roots. This water is then transported to the top of the plant, where it evaporates through tiny openings on the leaves, a process known as plant evaporation. This way, water evaporates into the air and cools it, which also benefits the more efficient operation of the solar panels.
In addition to promoting crop growth and more efficient solar panel operation, the Solar Harvest agrisolar power plant will also provide clean electricity for the young team working on this farm. This solar power plant is estimated to save 28 tons of carbon dioxide annually.
Prepared by Katarina Vuinac
Read the whole story in the new issue the Energy portal Magazine AGROSOLAR ENERGY AND RES.
