Abstract:
In the tropical regions represented by Hainan, there are abundant solar and thermal resources, and it is relatively suitable for the construction of photovoltaic greenhouse(PVG). However, the construction of PVG still relies mainly on experience and is incapable of quantifying the balance between the photovoltaic(PV) generation and the light requirements for agricultural production. As a result, actual PVGs are primarily PV-based, without carefully considering the needs of agricultural daylighting. To quantify the influence of the design parameters of PVGs and the layout of PV panels on the internal daylighting of serrated PVGs, and to optimize the daylighting design of the roof, this paper utilizes the Design Builder software to establish gradient models for a multi-span serrated-type PVG in tropical regions. Gradient models were established in terms of aspects, namely span, width of longitudinal/transverse daylighting strip, height, roof angle, and photovoltaic panel coverage rate (
PCR). Daylighting in the greenhouse of each gradient model was simulated, and with the annual average daily light integral(
ADLI) and distribution uniformity (
DU) as evaluation indicators, the influence of various design parameters on the daylighting inside the greenhouse was quantified. The result reveals that: (1)
PCR is the decisive indicator for daylighting in the PVG, and a function between
PCR and the
ADLI is derived as
ADLI =-15.5
PCR +16.841; (2) Increasing the width of longitudinal daylighting strip significantly improves the
ADLI and enhances
DU while increasing the span has a noticeable effect on improving
ADLI but does not significantly enhance
DU; (3) Increasing the eave height without changing
PCR does not enhance
ADLI but effectively improves
DU; increasing the transverse daylighting strip and adjusting the roof angle hardly improves
ADLI. In summary, it is recommended that the optimal span for PVGs in tropical regions be set within the range of 6.5-8.0m, and the eave height be set within the range of 2.5-3.5m. Preferably, the longitudinal daylighting strip with a width ranging from 0.5-0.8m should be installed. Based on the above relationship function, the
PCR can be calculated according to the appropriate light demand for the cultivated crops. The daylighting design theory proposed in this paper can provide a theoretical basis and reference for the healthy development of the PV industry in tropical regions.