AGRIVOLTAIC: Combinación de la tecnología fotovoltaica en entornos agrícolas para mejorar la competitividad de la región Huetar Norte

Costa Rica has identified that to achieve carbon neutrality it needs to install a large amount of photovoltaic
(PV) power, which will require the use of large extensions of land. Being a highly agricultural country, in order
to avoid having to decide between producing food and generating clean energy in its territory, it is possible to
make double use of the land through agrovoltaic systems, however, this requires proper planning so that it
becomes a competitive advantage and not a problem. Food production is one of the main activities in the
Huetar Norte (HN) region, in many cases led by small producers and women heads of household. In order
for small farmers to be able to compete with the large food traders inside and outside the country, the
development of innovation is required through the use of cutting-edge technology that generates
competitiveness and empowers small producers and women entrepreneurs. The use of agro-productive
systems together with the generation of electricity from the sun would offer great benefits and advantages.
The emergence of bifacial PV modules that take advantage of the radiation incident on both sides of the
module, represent an opportunity to maximise the area of electrical coverage in marginal areas, soil
protection by preventing soil erosion, improving the distribution of temperatures that affect crops, as well as
harnessing the energy generated for multiple uses, i.e.: electrification of fences, installation of surveillance
systems, access to remote recharging devices such as drones, sensors, machinery, as well as milking
equipment, refrigeration, crop conservation, among many others. However, there are no studies in the
country on the performance of agrovoltaic systems in order to generate confidence among small producers
to adopt the technology and innovate their processes. This project proposes the development of a
technological platform for the analysis of agrovoltaic installations to promote innovation in the productive
sector of the northern Huetar region through a case study of an experimental bifacial agrovoltaic installation.
This will allow to start the process of assessing the feasibility of agrovoltaic systems in the HN region,
systems that are being used in other countries in the world with even less favourable conditions. The process
will be accompanied by the producer of the HN region and partners from other universities in the world, with
the aim of maximising the benefits of this technology and its transfer to the productive sector.

Desarrollar una plataforma tecnológica de análisis de instalaciones agrovoltaicas para el impulso de la innovación del sector productivo
de la región huetar norte mediante un caso de estudio en una instalación agrovoltaica bifacial de módulos verticales e inclinados.

1. Dispositivos electrónicos
2. Procesamiento de datos, control y optimización