⚡ Quick Read
As the demand for land-efficient renewable energy solutions grows, the integration of agrivoltaic systems has become a focal point for researchers and developers. A recent study conducted by a team from Sweden and Italy has investigated the performance of semitransparent, magenta-colored cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film PV panels. Unlike conventional crystalline-silicon solar panels, which are opaque and block significant portions of the light spectrum, these magenta panels are engineered to transmit specific blue and red wavelengths that align with the absorption regions of plant chlorophyll pigments.
The field experiment took place at Kärrbo Prästgård in central Sweden during the 2024 growing season. The trial compared broccoli grown in an open-field control plot with crops cultivated beneath two distinct CdTe PV systems. These systems featured nominal transparency levels of 50% and 70%, resulting in average photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) transmittance values of 13.2% and 19.2%, respectively. Each system utilized 21 panels from Chinese manufacturer Advanced Solar Power, installed at a height of 1.5 meters with a 6-degree tilt.
The results indicated that broccoli grown under both PV systems achieved fresh head weights of 173.7 g (50% transparency) and 168.5 g (70% transparency), compared to 187.6 g in the open-field control. While the difference was not statistically significant, the researchers noted a 25-day delay in crop maturity for the agrivoltaic plots. Despite this, the researchers favored the 50% transparency configuration due to its higher PV cell density and comparable crop performance to the 70% variant.
For EPC contractors and solar developers, this research highlights the potential for wavelength-selective agrivoltaic systems to solve land-use conflicts. By customizing the light spectrum, developers can maintain agricultural productivity while simultaneously generating electricity. This technology offers a sophisticated alternative to traditional opaque panels, which often limit the types of crops that can be grown underneath. As India continues to scale its renewable energy capacity, such innovations could be critical for projects in regions where land availability is constrained by agricultural requirements.
The next phase for this technology involves scaling these experiments to larger commercial footprints to assess the economic viability of CdTe thin-film modules in diverse climates. As the India renewable energy sector continues to expand, integrating advanced agrivoltaic solutions will be essential for developers looking to optimize land value and secure community support for large-scale solar installations.
Aditya Pathre is the Founder of MVApulse and covers India’s renewable energy sector, including solar, wind, battery energy storage systems (BESS), green hydrogen, transmission infrastructure, renewable energy policy and competitive bidding. His reporting focuses on project developments, market trends, government policies and energy transition across India.
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