A solar PV module that doesn’t have to choose between agriculture and photovoltaics.
The combination of farming and photovoltaics (called Agrivoltaics or APV) has the potential to make Europe’s energy transition possible by allowing land to be used for two different things. APV can be put in place for less money than PV on rooftops while increasing agricultural yields and reducing water use. But the current solutions are based on opaque silicon panels, which aren’t the best because they have to be very far apart to have the least amount of effect on crop yields. In fact, THEIA makes APV possible without making farmers choose between getting electricity or growing crops. Per m2, 30–160% more energy is made, and crop yields go up. Since 100% density is reached, it has a huge effect on the amount of land needed for solar PV generation. The solution also makes it possible for agriculture to become less carbon-intensive, for farmers to make more money, and for less water to be used.
Positive facts about Theia
400g CO2 eq./kWh savings compared to using electricity from the grid
Its LCA is up to 2 times better than concentionnal PV panels
35% water savings on agriculture in semi-arid environments
Payback time is reached similarly to to conventionnal PV panels in approx. 8 years
30-160% more savings/returns/m2 vs conventional agrivoltaics
Theia website : https://insolight.ch/
