THE CLSU INTERNATIONAL

JOURNAL OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Volume 1, No. 1: X–XX (2016) ISSN XXXX
www.clsu-ijst.org Copyright © 2017
Doi XX

ABEN 4420 RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR AB

APPLICATIONS
LABORATORY EXERCISE NO. 4. SOLAR
ENERGY APPLICATIONS IN AGRICULTURE
Mary Joy G. Pacag

Deparment of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, College of Engineering, Central

1

Luzon State University, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines

Email for correspondence: pacag.mary@clsu2.edu.ph

Submitted 23 March 2023

INTRODUCTION
Solar technology can provide heat, cooling, natural lighting, power, and fuels for a variety of
purposes. Solar technologies turn sunlight into electrical energy using photovoltaic panels or mirrors
that concentrate solar radiation.The use of solar energy has the potential to be a revolutionary
development for the agricultural industry, adding value in a variety of ways, including preserving limited
water supplies, reducing reliance on the grid, lowering long-term power costs, and even generating
additional income.There is a growing demand for the use of solar energy in broader applications across
different functions, even though its use in agriculture has been practiced since the dawn of
civilization.The viability of solar panels varies by location, and their efficiency is dependent on a variety
of environmental factors. So, understanding this beforehand is critical for any farmer who wants to
avoid losses due to poor analysis. A solar energy setup can be very rewarding in the long run if properly
implemented. Renewable energy and agriculture can work together to solve many of today's problems.
It can also be a new channel for improving the quality of agricultural yields, lowering overhead costs,
and increasing the efficiency of agricultural processes.
OBJECTIVES

1) To learn the other applications of solar energy in agriculture and other related areas;
2) To understand the different variations of solar water heating technologies;
3) To understand the different solar drying techniques of agricultural crops;
4) To discuss various other applications of solar energy

MATERIALS AND METHODS

1) Various applications of solar energy and solar thermal technologies in agriculture are identified and
discussed. Using the material “Solar Technology in Agriculture”, accessible though the link
 https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/77058 and “Solar Energy Technologies” via the link
https://energypedia.info/wiki/Portal:Solar
2) Differences between the three types of solar heat collectors (flat-plate, evacuated tubes, and
parabolic trough) in water heating with the advantage and disadvantage are discussed.
3) Various solar drying technologies presented in the paper “Review of solar dryers for agricultural
products in Asia and Africa: An innovation landscape approach “ are listed and discussed.
4) The application of solar energy in water pumping systems (SPIS), greenhouse operation, food
processing (incl. cooking) and other agricultural activities is discussed.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Applications of Solar Energy and Solar Thermal Technologies in Agriculture

Solar Technologies in Agriculture

Agricultural farm technology is rapidly changing and improving. These advancements
improve farm machinery and equipment, farm facilities and buildings, as well as crops and farm
animals. As we all know, solar energy is the most abundant and least expensive energy source on the
planet. Solar energy is an excellent source of energy for agriculture farms. Various solar energy
absorbing devices and systems for agricultural applications have been developed and are in use. Solar
thermal and electric devices such as solar spraying machines, solar greenhouse heating, solar crop
dryers, solar water pumps, livestock ventilation, solar aeration pumps, solar electricity, and so on are
examples of these.

 Solar PV operated water lifting/pumping system:

Solar PV pumping systems are very useful for powering the pressurized irrigation system.
Solar pumps, in particular, may be useful as water lifting devices in irrigation canals, as well as to
evenly distribute water in areas where traditional water systems cannot reach, such as elevated hilly
lands.

 Solar spraying and seed sowing machines:

The solar pesticides sprayer machine is intended to help small farmers increase their
productivity. They can easily transport and operate these machines, which have rechargeable
batteries and direct solar illumination options. Because most pesticide spraying occurs during the day,
these spray machines could be used by directly capturing solar energy, avoiding the installation of
batteries in these machines.

 Solar crop drying:

A solar drying system with a variety of options is one of the agricultural applications of solar
energy. Solar dryers are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. There are various types of solar
dryers available for various applications, including the drying of agricultural products such as
potatoes, grains, carrots, and mushrooms. Active dryers and passive dryers are the two main types
depending on the heating arrangement. External means, such as pumps and fans, are used in active
solar dryers for solar energy heat transfer, whereas passive dryer heat is circulated naturally by wind
pressure or buoyancy force, or a combination of these two.
 Solar greenhouse heating:
In general, greenhouses around the world use sunlight to meet their lighting needs for
photosynthesis, but they are not yet ready to use the sun for heat. Rather, they rely on conventional
energy sources such as oil or gas to generate greenhouse temperatures for winter plant growth. Solar-
powered greenhouses (SGHs) on the other hand, are designed to use solar energy for both heating
and lighting. Furthermore, during hot sunny periods, these greenhouses reduce the damage caused
by excess solar energy from the environment to the greenhouse. These SGHs have a controlled
environment.

 Solar powered tractors:

Tractors are essential agricultural machinery that have simplified farming and increased crop
yield and production. Tractors transformed agriculture farming into agroindustry by performing a
variety of functions with the assistance of various tools and equipment. Tractors typically use oil to
run and work, increasing the farming budget while also polluting the atmosphere by emitting carbon
dioxide during combustion. Solar powered tractors became a good option because they could work
directly under the sun by consuming solar energy through a PV system during the day and also
continue to work at night by utilizing energy stored in batteries.

 Solar machinery and tractors

A tractor is a vital piece of technology and machinery on any agricultural farm. A tractor
provides power for a variety of tasks on farms, including plowing, seeding, planting, fertilizing,
spraying, cultivating, and harvesting crops. Tractors are also used to transport crops and materials to
and from farms and markets. Modern agricultural developments and increasing production to meet
human needs can be accomplished best by using multifunctional compact tractors. Tractors have a
significant social and economic impact on agricultural operations.

 Solar irrigation
Irrigation is a basic requirement for crops to grow in order to meet global food demand.
Crop irrigation demands can be met by three different sources: green water, blue water, and non-
renewable groundwater. Green water refers to the use of effective precipitation stored in the soil
root zone for crop growth, whereas blue water refers to surface freshwater available in rivers, lakes,
reservoirs, and groundwater.

Difference of three types of heat collectors

1. Flat Plate Collectors

Flat plate solar collectors capture solar radiation and use it to heat a fluid. The greenhouse
effect frequently reduces heat loss. The core of this type of thermal solar collector is made up of a
series of vertically oriented metal tubes that conduct cold water in parallel. A horizontal pipe at the
bottom connects the pipes to the intake of cold water, and another similar pipe at the top connects
to the outlet. The tubes are encased by a cover at the top.
Itisusuallydoubleglasswithaninsulatingmaterialatthebottom. This type of solar energy collector is
used in low-temperature installations, typically below 79 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Evacuated Tube Collectors

Evacuated tube solar energy collectors are similar to flat plate solar collectors. However,
instead of metal tubes, glass tubes are used here. For installation, these glass tubes are encapsulated
in another glass tube with a vacuum in between. This type of solar energy collector is more
expensive, but it performs better.

3. Concentrating Collectors
This type of collector captures the radiation that strikes a relatively large surface. To
concentrate these radiations, parabolic troughs or flat mirrors on a smaller surface are used. The goal
of concentrating solar energy collectors is to concentrate the solar radiation received on a surface at a
single point so that high temperatures can be obtained. This thermal solar panel is useful for high
and very high-temperature solar installations. These are also used to generate water vapour at very
high pressure, as seen in a conventional thermal power plant.

Solar Drying technologies from the “Review of solar dryers for agricultural products in Asia
and Africa: An innovation landscape approach “

SOLAR DRYING TECHNOLOGIES

Crop preservation is an important activity in agriculture because it keeps crops from rotting
and decomposing for an extended period of time. It is necessary to keep them fresh and nutritious
while transporting them from the fields to the consumers. Depending on farm size and crop
distribution strategies, this preservation process can range from domestic to industrial. Freezing,
canning, drying, and dehydration are all methods of preservation. Among these, drying crops and
food is a simple and straightforward method that can be used in any temperature or environment.

Passive solar dryers

Direct passive solar dryers (natural convection), such as cabinet and greenhouse dryers, are
simple and inexpensive to build. An insulated box with inlet and outlet holes and a transparent
glass/polyethylene/polycarbonate sheet are typical components of a drying chamber.

Active solar dryers

Active dryers use a ventilation system to circulate heated air within the drying chamber or from
the solar collector to the drying chamber. Fans or blowers are powered by electricity, which can be
generated by a photovoltaic (PV) module or the grid.

Integrated Dryer
An integrated solar dryer is one that collects and dries solar energy in a single unit. This
category includes cabinet dryers, rack dryers, tunnel dryers, greenhouse dryers, and multi-rack dryers.
These dryers are typically small and stand-alone units.
Distributed Dryer
A distributed solar dryer is one that collects and dries solar energy in separate units. This solar
dryer is composed of two parts: (1) a flat-plate air heater and (2) a drying chamber. The flat-plate heater,
which is placed on the building's roof or on the ground, heats the air. A blower circulates hot air from
the air heater in the drying chamber. These dryers can be designed in a variety of sizes and
configurations, depending on the temperature of the hot air, the airflow rate, the types of products to
be dried, and so on.

Mixed Mode Dryer

A mixed-mode solar dryer is one that collects solar energy in both the air heater and the drying
unit while drying occurs only in the drying unit. Solar energy is collected in this dryer via flat-plate solar
collectors as well as the drying chamber's roof. In large industrial drying systems, solar-heated air is
combined with conventionally heated air; this increases system reliability while also significantly
reducing conventional energy consumption.

Solar Cabinet Dryer

A drying cabinet is the main component of a solar cabinet dryer. One side of the cabinet is
glazed to allow solar radiation to pass through and be converted into low-grade thermal heat, raising
the temperature of the air, drying chamber, and produce. The sun usually shines directly on the
material being dried.

Green House Dryer

Solar greenhouse dryers are distinguished by extensive glazing on their south facing side and
well-insulated other sides. Some means are provided within the enclosed area to store the daytime
excess heat. Vents are sized and positioned strategically to control air flow. A well-designed greenhouse
dryer provides more control over the drying process than solar cabinet dryers and should be used
when drying a relatively large quantity of product.

Indirect (distributed) Type

The produce is placed on trays inside an opaque drying chamber to which an air type solar
collector is attached. The sun does not directly shine on the material to be dried; instead, heated air
from the solar collector is ducted to the drying chamber for dehydration. Although air circulation can
occur naturally through convection, it is frequently forced by blowers. These dryers produce a higher
quality product than cabinet dryers or sun drying.

Hybrid Solar Dryers

In the absence of sunlight, agricultural materials are dried using direct solar radiation and/or
backup energy or stored heat in a hybrid dryer. Another auxiliary source of energy, such as a solar PV
module, electricity, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), diesel, or biomass, is used to pre-heat the air. This
dryer can be used in either single or mixed mode (direct or indirect drying).
 Application of Solar Energy

 Solar Water Pumping

Solar power can also be used to irrigate crops by pumping water from storage ponds. Solar
irrigation, on the other hand, is combined with High Efficiency Irrigation Systems (HEIS) for the
potential use of available water. Because it is thought that the economics of solar-powered pumping
systems can only be justified if they are properly designed and linked to high-efficiency irrigation
systems such as drip, bubbler, sprinkler, or bed and furrow irrigation methods.
Solar water pumping uses photovoltaic (PV) technology to convert sunlight into electricity in
order to pump water. PV panels are linked to a motor (either DC or AC), which converts electrical
energy into mechanical energy. This mechanical energy is used to power a pump, which is responsible
for extracting water from the ground.

 Solar Greenhouse Production

A solar greenhouse is a covered structure in which crops and vegetables are grown under
favorable climate conditions and in an environment conducive to plant growth and production. In a
greenhouse, controlled sunlight is managed for photosynthesis, and an appropriate temperature for
plants is maintained regardless of whether the outside temperature is hot or cold. Many factors
influence plant growth in solar greenhouses. Among these parameters are the intensity of sunlight, the
temperature of the greenhouse, the temperature of the surroundings, the humidity of the greenhouse
and the surroundings, nutrients and carbon dioxide, and so on. Greenhouses provide plants with an
environment in which they can grow under controlled conditions and with optimized values for all of
these parameters.

 Solar Food Processing

Solar food processing is a new technology that provides high-quality foods at low or no
additional fuel costs. A variety of solar dryers, collectors, and concentrators are currently being used
for various steps in food processing and value addition. The Society for Energy, Environment, and
Development (SEED) created a Solar Cabinet Dryer with forced circulation, which has been used for
dehydration and the development of value-added products from locally grown fruits, vegetables, leafy
greens, and forest produce. Drying under simulated shade conditions with a UV-reducing Blue filter
aids in nutrient retention. SEED Solar Dryer is an ideal choice for food processing in rural settings,
closer to where the harvest is produced, eliminating the need for expensive transportation or storage.

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Solar energy, with its rapidly growing technologies and nascent market, has shown promise for
integration into a variety of agricultural activities, providing an alternative, sustainable solution to
current practices. To meet the future demands of modern sustainable agriculture, it addresses the
major existing problems by providing innovative, effective, and sustainable solutions using
environmentally friendly, advanced, energy-efficient, and cost-optimized solar energy technologies. It
aims to bridge the knowledge gap between market/real-world applications and field research by
including globally implemented solar-based agriculture projects in each chapter and highlighting the
key associated challenges and benefits.
 Solar energy is quickly emerging as one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly
energy types for agriculture and industry. Heating with solar energy collectors is an excellent way to use
renewable energy while running thermal solar panels. This technology has numerous advantages, and
we hope that this article has given you an understanding of the functions of solar energy and its
benefits.

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