Study the Possibility of Using Solar Panels on the Rooftop of Plastic Greenhouse for Power Generation During Iraqi Climate

Abstract

The greenhouse environmental works can be controlled very well for higher production of agricultural crops and conserves energy during the same greenhouse land. The present study focused on examine the possibility of constructing PV panels on the roofs of greenhouse to work within Iraqi climate conditions. Basically, based on analysing the effects of different panel’s arrangement patterns over the roof of the greenhouse on the agricultural crops, taking into consideration producing high crop production with high electrical energy. The study evaluated the climatic conditions inside the greenhouse where solar panels with different numbers and arrangements installed on the greenhouse roof. The experimental work based on describing the variation in the relative humidity, temperature and light intensity distribution within the greenhouse, also the effect of shade resulting from the arrangement of solar panels on eggplant yield in the Iraqi climatic conditions during winter in January, February and March 2019. The finding of this research shows that, the highest production in the third zone 6567 kW/year, which is contain 12 solar panels and has the best income, without significant impact on the agricultural production. The results also showed that the combination of PV modules and greenhouse reduced the sunbeam by 35% - 45% compared to the greenhouse without solar panels. In addition, the shading of solar panels reduced the greenhouse air temperature by up to (5-15°C). It has a negative effect in the cold climatic conditions and a positive effect in the hot climatic conditions, because it protects the plant from the risks of overheating, so can reduce water consumption by reducing the evaporation rate. While, the annual performance of the PV unit was designed and analysed by PV-syst 6.7.0 software for all zones of the greenhouse.