Genossenschaft Elektra Baselland
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Swiss startup Voltiris offers wavelength-selective PV system for agrivoltaics
Swiss-based agrivoltaics specialist Voltiris is offering a novel solution based on a patented under-roof dichroic mirror concentrator system that integrates tracking systems and silicon PV panels. The system is intended to specifically serve greenhouses to improve the metrics for heating, electricity costs, and CO2 emissions, while maintaining crop yields. Its latest pilot project is in partnership with Swiss utility Genossenschaft Elektra Baselland (EBL), providing a solution for leafy green vegetable-growing greenhouses owned by Füllinsdorf-based Eschbach Gemüsebau.
Voltiris has developed a wavelength-selective PV system based on dichroic filters on mirrors that enable the plants below to receive the light they need to thrive while optimizing the light required for the solar panels. In greenhouses, it is important to avoid the kind of shading that would occur with conventionally installed PV panels because the “rule of thumb” for most greenhouse crops, according to Voltiris, is that 1% light loss is 1% agronomical yield loss. The Voltiris team recently recorded a peak power of 145 W/m2, as confirmed by co-founder and CTO Jonas Roch who explained to pv magazine that to be able to reach 145W/m2 with a checkerboard, or chessboard, type of bifacial solar PV installation would result in “about a 70% light loss for the crops,” which he noted would represent “an unacceptable outcome for greenhouse growers.”