System Optimization and Primary Electrical Design of 50 MW Agrivoltaic Power Station: A Case Study in China

Agrivoltaic technology holds great significance for promoting the collaborative development of new energy industries and modern agriculture. A systematic optimization design and preliminary electrical scheme for a 50 MW agrivoltaic power station in Shaanxi Province, China, were studied in this work. A combination of checkerboard and long-row layouts was adopted, considering the influence of the shading rate on agricultural production and photovoltaic power generation. The checkerboard pattern features the highest system efficiency, the smallest irradiance loss, and a slight lead in power generation, with a moderate shading rate, when compared to the other patterns. The expected energy gain from the bifacial modules’ rear side in this specific setup is 7.6%. These layouts ensure the power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic power station, while minimizing the shading impact of shading on crop growth, thereby achieving efficient comprehensive utilization of agricultural greenhouses and solar power generation. The primary electrical system was designed, including the main wiring design, main transformer selection, and type selection of major electrical equipment. The research results provide a practical reference for the large-scale application of agrivoltaic power stations, which is beneficial to promoting the high-quality development of modern agriculture.