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Purpose <p>Addressing the global demand for energy and food while ensuring ecosystem preservation, food security, and climate change mitigation presents a critical challenge. Transitioning to renewable energy and sustainable food production is essential. Closed agrivoltaic systems, which integrate agriculture with solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, offer promising dual land-use solutions. For widespread adoption, these systems must be both environmentally sustainable and economically viable.</p> Methods <p>This study evaluated the environmental and economic feasibility of a closed agrivoltaic system, with 12 PV panels (570 W each) integrated with vertical farming for baby rocket cultivation, within a walk-in plant growth room (PGR). Three distinct scenarios are analyzed: (1) a grid-connected PGR, (2) a closed agrivoltaic system under a Net Metering scheme, and (3) an autonomous closed agrivoltaic PGR system with battery storage. The environmental impact is assessed via the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method, while economic performance is evaluated via multiple financial metrics. Net Present Value (NPV), Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), and Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) are applied to all the scenarios, while Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Discounted Payback Period (DPP), and Return on Investment (ROI) are specifically considered for the closed agrivoltaic systems.</p> Results and discussion <p>The autonomous closed agrivoltaic system with battery storage was the most environmentally and economically viable option, despite its higher initial investment (22,895.3€ NPV and 6.69&#xa0;kg CO<sub>2</sub>-eq/kg baby rocket). The Net Metering scenario also yields strong environmental and economic benefits but has lower overall profitability. In contrast, the grid-connected system is highly cost-effective but lacks energy independence and has the highest environmental impact (61.67&#xa0;kg CO<sub>2</sub>-eq/kg baby rocket), raising concerns about its long-term sustainability.</p> Conclusions <p>Beyond the sustainability benefits of closed-agrivoltaic systems, these findings underscore their potential for significant profitability through simultaneous food and energy production. Further optimization of system design and the implementation of targeted policy incentives and subsidies could enhance the adoption and feasibility of these innovative systems.</p>

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Sustainable leafy greens: a techno-economic and environmental assessment of baby rocket production in a photovoltaic-powered growth room

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月3日

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  • Maria Ravani,
  • Stephanie Tselempi,
  • Ioanna Chatzigeorgiou,
  • Nikolaos Monokrousos,
  • Georgios K. Ntinas

摘要

Purpose

Addressing the global demand for energy and food while ensuring ecosystem preservation, food security, and climate change mitigation presents a critical challenge. Transitioning to renewable energy and sustainable food production is essential. Closed agrivoltaic systems, which integrate agriculture with solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, offer promising dual land-use solutions. For widespread adoption, these systems must be both environmentally sustainable and economically viable.

Methods

This study evaluated the environmental and economic feasibility of a closed agrivoltaic system, with 12 PV panels (570 W each) integrated with vertical farming for baby rocket cultivation, within a walk-in plant growth room (PGR). Three distinct scenarios are analyzed: (1) a grid-connected PGR, (2) a closed agrivoltaic system under a Net Metering scheme, and (3) an autonomous closed agrivoltaic PGR system with battery storage. The environmental impact is assessed via the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method, while economic performance is evaluated via multiple financial metrics. Net Present Value (NPV), Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), and Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) are applied to all the scenarios, while Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Discounted Payback Period (DPP), and Return on Investment (ROI) are specifically considered for the closed agrivoltaic systems.

Results and discussion

The autonomous closed agrivoltaic system with battery storage was the most environmentally and economically viable option, despite its higher initial investment (22,895.3€ NPV and 6.69 kg CO2-eq/kg baby rocket). The Net Metering scenario also yields strong environmental and economic benefits but has lower overall profitability. In contrast, the grid-connected system is highly cost-effective but lacks energy independence and has the highest environmental impact (61.67 kg CO2-eq/kg baby rocket), raising concerns about its long-term sustainability.

Conclusions

Beyond the sustainability benefits of closed-agrivoltaic systems, these findings underscore their potential for significant profitability through simultaneous food and energy production. Further optimization of system design and the implementation of targeted policy incentives and subsidies could enhance the adoption and feasibility of these innovative systems.