CROPTICS
The recently approved FWO-SBO project “Crop-centred perovskite photovoltaics: CROPTICS”, led by UHasselt, is investigating how agriculture and solar energy can be combined more intelligently.
Objectives
Conventional Agri-PV systems today often still cause harsh shade, uneven light distribution and a risk of heat stress or sunburn in crops. CROPTICS aims to investigate whether uniform thin-film solar panels can offer a solution to this.
The central question is whether solar panels can be designed to primarily transmit the light spectrum that plants need, whilst the rest of the sunlight is converted into electricity. UHasselt is investigating not only the technology itself, but also its impact on plant growth, crop quality and the wider ecosystem.
The project brings together engineers, biologists and social scientists from UHasselt. Soltech, PCFruit and Boerenbond are closely involved partners, and an advisory board comprising 16 companies and organisations ensures a strong link with agriculture and industry.
Through CROPTICS, UHasselt aims to contribute to Agri-PV systems that make smarter use of agricultural land, better protect crops and combine food production with local green energy.
Partners and funding
Supported by FWO
Contact
Do you have a question? Contact Bart Vermang (bart.vermang@uhasselt.be) or Robbe Breugelmans (robbe.breugelmans@uhasselt.be)