In a groundbreaking study published in *Solar Compass* (translated to English as “The Solar Compass”), researchers have explored the potential of large-scale agrivoltaics farms to serve as autonomous energy sources for hydrogen-powered electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The research, led by Shanza Neda Hussain from the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy (ESE) at the University of Exeter, UK, offers a comprehensive assessment of green hydrogen (H2) production using electricity generated from a 1GW agrivoltaics system. The findings could reshape the energy sector’s approach to sustainable mobility and renewable energy integration.
Agrivoltaics, the practice of combining agriculture with solar power generation, has gained traction as a means to optimize land use and enhance energy production. Hussain’s study takes this concept a step further by investigating its potential to support hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) in diverse global climates. “This research demonstrates the synergy between agrivoltaics and hydrogen technologies, offering a compelling blueprint for sustainable development,” Hussain said.
The study simulated agrivoltaics systems in four locations: Phoenix (USA), Eching (Germany), Hooghly (India), and Konstanz (Germany), each representing a wide range of solar radiation profiles and agricultural contexts. Advanced crop and solar power simulations were performed using DSSAT 4.8 and PVsyst 7.4.0, respectively. Site-specific crops were chosen based on local consumption and cultivation practices. For instance, cotton was the dominant crop in Phoenix, while rice was the primary crop in Hooghly. In Germany, chia and safflower were selected for their market potential and agricultural viability.
The research utilized bifacial LG Electronics modules at optimal angles to maximize electricity generation. The highest Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) was obtained in Konstanz, with a value of 2.01, where chia was used as the test crop. To ensure system reliability, a lithium-ion battery was integrated to mitigate abrupt changes in power or voltage from the agrivoltaics system before supplying electricity to the electrolyser for H2 production.
The results revealed significant geographical variability in solar energy capture and hydrogen production. Phoenix, with the highest production of 33,487.39 kg/month, and Eching, with the lowest production of 30,514.04 kg/month, presented the most contrasting outputs. The study evaluated the implications of these variations on supporting a fleet of hydrogen-fuelled vehicles, including public transport commercial vehicles, minibuses, fuel cell heavy vehicles, and passenger cars. The findings highlighted the compatibility of agrivoltaics with clean mobility solutions, with the potential to refuel up to 30,912 minibuses in a month.
“This work addresses critical global challenges by integrating battery storage to ensure reliable system operation and compatibility with multiple vehicles’ charging strategies,” Hussain explained. The research offers a scalable, climate-adaptive solution that advances clean electricity, hydrogen fuel production, and sustainable agriculture, supporting progress towards multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The implications of this study are far-reaching for the energy sector. By demonstrating the feasibility of agrivoltaics as an autonomous energy source for hydrogen-powered EV charging infrastructure, the research paves the way for innovative, off-grid renewable energy solutions. As the world transitions towards cleaner energy and sustainable mobility, the integration of agrivoltaics and hydrogen technologies presents a promising avenue for achieving these goals.
Hussain’s research, published in *Solar Compass*, sets new benchmarks for scalable, climate-adaptive solutions that simultaneously advance clean electricity, hydrogen fuel production, and sustainable agriculture. The findings offer a compelling blueprint for sustainable development, supporting progress towards multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As the energy sector continues to evolve, this study provides valuable insights into the potential of agrivoltaics and hydrogen technologies to shape the future of clean energy and mobility.