Spectral Irradiance and Photosynthetic Rate Modeling of Semi-Transparent Colored PV Modules in Agrivoltaics

While most agrivoltaic systems use opaque crystalline-silicon photovoltaic (PV) panels, their excessive shading has recently shifted interest toward semi-transparent wavelength-selective photovoltaic (WSPV) technologies. WSPV technologies aim to transmit light wavelengths beneficial for crops while mainly converting unused wavelengths into electricity. This study introduces two modelling approaches: one for simulating light transmission through WSPV systems and another for estimating leaf photosynthetic rates. Both models incorporate the composition of the light spectrum (i.e., light across different wavelengths), an aspect often overlooked in earlier models where broadband light values were sufficient. However, in WSPV systems, considering spectral light distribution is key. Validation demonstrates satisfactory accuracy (R2 > 0.89) for both models. Additionally, a crop suitability assessment across global locations is conducted for semi-transparent magenta-colored cadmium telluride PV modules that highlights the potential of this type of WSPV technology for agrivoltaics, aiming to guide future implementation of such technologies.