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Gridded global horizontal irradiance (GHI) databases are fundamental for analysing solar energy applications' technical and economic aspects, particularly photovoltaic applications. Today, there exist numerous gridded GHI databases whose quality has been thoroughly validated against ground-based irradiance measurements. Nonetheless, databases that generate data at latitudes above 65˚ are few, and those available gridded irradiance products, which are either reanalysis or based on polar orbiters, such as ERA5, COSMO-REA6, or CM SAF CLARA-A2, generally have lower quality or a coarser time resolution than those gridded irradiance products based on geostationary satellites. Amongst the high-latitude gridded GHI databases, the STRÅNG model developed by the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) is likely the most accurate one, providing data across Sweden. To further enhance the product quality, the calibration technique called "site adaptation" is herein used to improve the STRÅNG dataset, which seeks to adjust a long period of low-quality gridded irradiance estimates based on a short period of high-quality irradiance measurements. This study introduces a novel approach for site adaptation of solar irradiance based on machine learning techniques, which differs from the conventional statistical methods used in previous studies. Seven machine-learning algorithms have been analysed and compared with conventional statistical approaches to identify Sweden's most accurate algorithms for site adaptation. Solar irradiance data gathered from three weather stations of SMHI is used for training and validation. The results show that machine learning can substantially improve the STRÅNG model's accuracy. However, due to the spatiotemporal heterogeneity in model performance, no universal machine learning model can be identified, which suggests that site adaptation is a location-dependant procedure.

Photovoltaic (PV) systems in Sweden have primarily been seen as an energy efficiency measure to reduce the amount of purchased electricity for buildings, both residential and commercial. Only recently utility-scale solar systems have begun to increase their share of the solar market to support national energy and emissions targets. Due to the economies of scale, conventional ground-mounted PV (CGMPV) installations represent the best solution for producing electricity at the lowest specific initial investment costs. This relatively new solar market segment, with large-scale ground-mounted solar farms on agricultural land, has faced several challenges with the permitting process. Agricultural land that is suitable for cultivation is of "national importance" according to the Swedish Environmental Code. Cultivable agricultural land may be exploited for other purposes on a permanent basis only if it is necessary to satisfy essential societal interests and there is no other possible land to use within the area in question. Traditionally, ground-mounted solar farms have increased competition for land resources for food production and drawn criticism in the so-called "food-versus-fuel (electricity)" debate over whether agricultural land should be used for electricity generation or food production. Agrivoltaic (APV) systems represent an intelligent solution to avoid land use competition by combining arable farming and electricity production on the same agricultural land. The main objective of this project was to study how APV systems perform from an energy, agricultural and economic perspective compared to CGMPV systems and agriculture production. The project aimed to highlight advantages and disadvantages of APV systems at northern latitudes with an energy-food-water perspective. The aim was pursued by establishing an APV test site, the first APV system in Sweden, monitoring its performance both from an energy and agricultural point of view, and developing new techno-econom, Solceller i Sverige har främst setts som en energieffektiviseringsåtgärd för att minska mängden köpt el för byggnader, både bostäder och kommersiella. Först nyligen har solcellssystem i bruksskala börjat öka sin andel på solcellsmarknaden för att stödja de nationella energi- och utsläppsmålen. På grund av stordriftsekonomins fördelar representerar markmonterade solcellsanläggningar den bästa lösningen för att producera el till lägsta initiala investeringskostnader. Detta relativt nya marknadssegment för solel, med storskaliga markmonterade solcellsparker på jordbruksmark har ställts inför flera utmaningar med tillståndsprocessen. Jordbruksmark som är lämplig för odling är av "nationell betydelse" enligt svenska Miljöbalken. Odlingsvärd jordbruksmark får varaktigt exploateras för andra ändamål endast om det behövs för att tillgodose väsentliga samhällsintressen och det inte finns någon annan möjlig mark att använda inom det aktuella området. Traditionellt har markmonterade solcellsparker ökat konkurrensen om markresurser för livsmedelsproduktion och väckt kritik i den så kallade "mat-mot-elproduktion"-debatten, dvs om marken ska användas för elproduktion eller livsmedelsproduktion. Agrivoltaiska (APV) solcellssystem representerar en intelligent lösning för att undvika konkurrensen om markanvändning genom att kombinera odling och elproduktion på samma markområde. Huvudmålet med detta projekt var att studera hur APV-system presterar ur ett energi-, jordbruks- och ekonomiskt perspektiv jämfört med konventionella markbaserade solcellssystem och vanlig jordbruksproduktion. Projektet syftade till att belysa fördelar och nackdelar med APV-system på nordliga breddgrader med ett energi-mat-vatten-perspektiv. Syftet var att etablera en APV-testplats, det första APV-systemet i Sverige, övervaka dess prestanda både ur energi- och jordbrukssynpunkt och utveckla nya teknoekonomiska modeller. I synnerhet användes data från APV-testplatsen, Kärrbo Prästgård, Västerås, för att bättr

Agrivoltaic is a strategic and innovative approach that combines photovoltaic (PV) energy conversion with agricultural production, enabling synergies in the production of food, energy, and water, as well as the preservation of the ecological landscape. Shading management, intensity adjustment, and spectral distribution allow innovative PV systems to generate significant amounts of electricity without affecting agricultural production. Demonstration projects have already been developed around the world and there is a wealth of experience with various design solutions for commercial use. One of these new technologies is concentrator photovoltaics (CPV). The CPV has excellent spectral processing capabilities and highly concentrated power generation efficiency, which makes it a perfect solution for integrating with photosynthesis. This study aims to present the working principle of CPV modules considering agricultural applications and discuss the recent advancements in concentrating agrivoltaics. In this method, the problem of shading is mitigated by two main strategies: (i) parabolic glasses covered with a multilayer dichroic polymer film that reflects near-infrared (NIR) radiation onto the solar cells installed at the focal area and transmits photons in the range of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), and (ii) highly transparent sun-tracking louvers or Fresnel lenses that concentrate direct sunlight onto the solar cells to generate electricity. In the latter solution, the remaining diffuse sunlight is directed to the ground for use by growing plants. Although the CPV development trend has been slow due to the lower cost of crystalline silicon, the development of CPV for agriculture with accurate spectral separation could revitalize this industry. In this regard, more research and development are needed to evaluate the suitability of materials that split solar radiation and their impacts on the electrical performance of CPV modules, taking into account the physi

In agrivoltaic systems combining solar photovoltaic and agricultural activities, ground albedo is mainly characterized by the crop and its seasonal variations. This study examines the effects of using fixed, satellite-derived, and hourly measured albedo on the performance of a vertical bifacial system and a 1-axis tracking system using a bifacial photovoltaic model (AgriOptiCE®). The model is developed with Matlab® and partially based on the open-source package pvlib. AgriOptiCE® is firstly validated by comparing estimated front and rear irradiances with on-site measurements for specific periods from a 1-axis tracker site in Golden, USA and a vertical agrivoltaic system in Västerås, Sweden. Furthermore, photovoltaic system power output estimations using AgriOptiCE® are also validated for the vertical agrivoltaic system and the conventional ground-mounted fixed-tilt system at the same location. The validations demonstrate the high accuracy of the proposed model in estimating front and rear irradiances and power output, obtaining R2 > 0.85 for all the studied cases. The study results indicate that measured albedo provides the highest accuracy, while satellite- derived albedo has poorer results due to the broader spatial, temporal, and spectral resolution. Fixed albedo is not recommended for yearly assessment of bifacial PV systems because it cannot account for snow events and daily variations, resulting in lower overall accuracy., Accepted manuscript

Water, energy, and food are all essential components of human societies. Collectively, their respective resource systems are interconnected in what is called the “nexus”. There is growing consensus that a holistic understanding of the interdependencies and trade-offs between these sectors and other related systems is critical to solving many of the global challenges they present. While nexus research has grown exponentially since 2011, there is no unified, overarching approach, and the implementation of concepts remains hampered by the lack of clear case studies. Here, we present the results of a collaborative thought exercise involving 75 scientists and summarize them into 10 key recommendations covering: the most critical nexus issues of today, emerging themes, and where future efforts should be directed. We conclude that a nexus community of practice to promote open communication among researchers, to maintain and share standardized datasets, and to develop applied case studies will facilitate transparent comparisons of models and encourage the adoption of nexus approaches in practice.

Agriculture is one of the most water- and energy-intensive sectors of the economy, consuming about 70% of global freshwater withdrawals. Access to clean and affordable water for irrigation is an essential step towards guaranteeing water and food security, improving incomes and living standards, decarbonizing an energy-intensive sector and attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDGs 2 (Zero Hunger), 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and 13 (Climate Action). Ensuring access to water for irrigation, as well as for other agricultural (i.e., livestock watering), domestic, and industrial purposes is a global challenge, and it is more challenging in remote areas where the grid connection is often not available. Solar-powered pumping systems represent a renewable solution for the decarbonization of the irrigation sector worldwide. While solar water pumping systems were used in the past to supply water for irrigation, livestock, and domestic purposes only in remote locations without access to the electric grid, the drastic drop in photovoltaic (PV) modules prices has made the technology also competitive for on-grid applications. This chapter reviews the configurations of solar water pumping systems for irrigation, highlighting the water–food–energy nexus aspects and recent advances, reviewing case studies, and analyzing the economics and current and future challenges., Part of book ISBN 978-032389866-9 978-032388625-3QC 20230615

The water-food-energy nexus approach was identified by the 2008 World Economic Forum as a key concept and methodology for studying and optimizing the important links among energy, water, and food. Energy, water, and food are basic human needs and are threatened by megatrends such as climate change and population growth. Renewable energies play an important role in the energy-water nexus because their water footprint, except for hydropower and bioenergy, is extremely low as compared to conventional fossil-based energy systems, especially for solar power and wind power conversion systems. Solar power and wind power systems reduce pressure on water resources by allowing for better water management, especially when it comes to conflicts between water for energy versus water for food. Renewable energies also represent a key pathway for combating climate change. This chapter introduces the concept of the water-food-energy nexus and its complex interrelationships and gives particular attention to renewable energies. Subsequently, several water-food-energy nexus aspects related to applications of renewable energies are investigated more deeply, with reference to practical examples. Particular attention will be given to floating photovoltaic systems, photovoltaic water-pumping systems, and agrivoltaics. The chapter concludes with the competition of land for energy versus land for food and on the role of the nexus in renewable-based wastewater systems.

This study presents a 3D computational fluid dynamic model to evaluate the temperature distribution and energy performances of a vertical bifacial photovoltaic module for agrivoltaic applications. This last is compared to a conventionally tilted bifacial photovoltaic module for ground-mounted applications. The simulations are performed in SolidWorks Flow Simulation® and validated with measured data gathered from the first experimental agrivoltaic system in Sweden. Additionally, four more simulations scenarios were defined to compare the performances of vertically mounted and conventionally tilted bifacial photovoltaic modules under different operating conditions The validation of the computational fluid dynamic model shows that the model tends to underestimate the readings performed with the thermal camera in the order of 3°C to 4°C for the vertical bifacial PV module. The comparison of the results obtained from the computational fluid dynamic model with existing models available in literature shows a good agreement. The comparison of the heat distribution from the computational fluid dynamic model and the thermal images also shows a good agreement. In all the scenarios investigated, the vertical bifacial photovoltaic module's overall efficiency was higher than that of the ground-mounted module due to lower average operating temperatures. The use of the computational fluid dynamic approach for studying the performance of a single photovoltaic module showed promising results that can be extended to study the system performance and microclimatic conditions.

Cooling loads are a substantial part of the total electricity demands of countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Fortunately, because of its warm and sunny climate, the MENA region is naturally suited to solar cooling technologies. This article summarizes the most recent research and developments in solar thermal cooling technologies. The working principles and a general literature survey of solar thermal cooling technologies including absorption, adsorption, and desiccant is presented. This is followed by a summary of the literature specific to the MENA region, along with a survey of the prototypes and commercial installation of solar cooling across the MENA region. Based on this review, pilot solar cooling projects in the region are around 1180 kWc, which are split between space conditioning and industrial refrigeration applications. Most of the pilot projects are of absorption cooling type using an ammonia–water binary cycle and parabolic trough solar collectors. However, a few adsorption cooling systems are employed with a water–silica working pair and flat plate collectors. Finally, desiccant cooling systems are still in their infancy, as research and experimental systems in educational institutes.

The idea behind this chapter is to provide teachers and students with material that can be used while studying renewable energy sources with special attention paid to their complementary characteristics. The questions and exercises included below refer to chapters presented in the book. In case of any questions, we provide the readers with contact details to chapters corresponding authors who would be happy in assisting you in case of any queries.

The hydro-wind-solar-storage bundling system plays a critical role in solving spatial and temporal mismatch problems between renewable energy resources and the electric load in China. An efficient bundling system ca-pacity configuration can improve the consumption level and reduce the renewable energy transmission cost. However, the restriction between economic feasibility and technical transmission constraints of the bundling system is not well understood. This restriction is becoming more and more obvious with the decrease of renewable energy price compensation year by year. This study compares the role of technical and economic indicators of capacity configuration, as well as the constraint relationship between electricity price and trans-mission constraints. Three screening principles of capacity configuration are proposed to reveal the techno-economic interaction. This paper explores a practical engineering case of Northwest China using a bundling system capacity configuration model. The internal rate of return is assumed as 8% for the bundling system. The results show that reducing the wind curtailment rate can effectively reduce the cost per MWh when the trans-mission guarantee rate is larger than 90%. Moreover, an integrated feed-in tariff based on market competi-tiveness is obtained if the wind curtailment rate is controlled by 5%. For example, the integrated feed-in tariff is 463.7 RMB/MWh when the wind curtailment rate is less than 5% and the transmission guarantee rate is larger than 95%. These results verify that the techno-economic interaction of the bundling system offers important theoretical support for selecting techno-economic indicators and capacity configuration.

The claim of a green data centre is generally made based on a net-zero CO2 emission through a ‘balance-sheet’ approach, which considers renewable electricity through on-site installation or purchase agreement as abatement measures against the use of fossil electricity from the electric grid on an annual basis. However, when the hourly dynamic fuel mix is accounted for in the assessment, the annual net-zero energy approach does not lead to a true carbon neutral data centre. In response, two approaches based on net-zero energy and net-zero CO2 emission respectively are proposed and investigated regarding the goal of net-zero CO2 emission. A data centre in Singapore with typical load profiles is used as a case study, different scenarios considering climate change and projected future energy are defined to examine the impacts of dynamic energy mix on the net CO2 emission of the data centre. The net-zero energy approach is found to result in significant amount of annual CO2 emissions. In comparison, the net-zero CO2 emission approach can assure a true net-zero CO2 emission, but this approach will require an increase of PV capacity by 20% and 60% as compared to the net-zero energy approach based on assessment for the year 2030 and 2050, respectively.

Decomposition models of solar irradiance estimate the magnitude of diffuse horizontal irradiance from global horizontal irradiance. These two radiation components are well known to be essential for predicting the performance of solar photovoltaic systems. In open-field agrivoltaic systems (i.e., the dual use of land for both agricultural activities and solar power conversion), cultivated crops receive unequal amounts of direct, diffuse, and reflected photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). These uneven amounts depend on where the crops are growing due to the non-homogenous shadings caused by the presence of the installed solar panels (above the crops or vertically mounted). It is known that, per unit of total PAR, diffuse PAR is more efficient for canopy photosynthesis than is direct PAR. For this reason, it is essential to estimate the diffuse PAR component when agrivoltaic systems are being assessed, in order to properly predict the crop yield. Since PAR is the electro-magnetic radiation in the 400-700 nm waveband that can be used for photosynthesis by the crops, several stand-alone decomposition models typically used to split global horizontal irradiance are selected in this study to decompose PAR into direct and diffuse. These models are applied and validated in three locations in Sweden (Lanna, Hyltemossa and Norunda) using the coefficients stated on the models' original publications and locally fitted coefficients. The results showed weaker performances in all stand-alone models for non-locally fitted coefficients (nRMSE ranging from 27% to 43%). However, performances improve with re-parameterization, with a highest nRMSE of 35.24% in Lanna. The Y(ANG)2 decomposition model is the best-performing one, with the lowest nRMSE of 23.75% in Norunda when applying re-estimated coefficients. Country level sets of coefficients for the best-performing models (Y(ANG)2 and STARKE) are given after parameterization using combined data for all three locations in Sweden. Th