An examination of unwalled agricultural shading structures under calm wind conditions

Simple pitched roof unwalled shading structures are frequently used to control the environmental conditions animals, humans and agricultural crops are exposed to. One such example is the vitivoltaics (combined viticulture and photovoltaic electricity generation) system proposed for the Charles Sturt University vineyard.<br/>Although these structures provide clear shading benefits, there is still a question as to how they influence the environment they are shading. This issue comes to the fore when the ambient wind conditions are calm and natural convection is the predominant transport mechanism. Specifically, does the shading structure create a microclimate by restricting the movement of air? <br/>Developing our understanding of the airflow resulting from this style of structure will allow them to be designed to be more responsive to the crops, or the animals, they may shelter. In turn this may lead to productivity improvements.