Photovoltaics in Swedish agriculture : Technical potential, grid integration and profitability

• This paper investigates the realizable potential for photovoltaic (PV) systems in Swedish agriculture. Marginal lands and available building areas for PV systems are quantified, and factors limiting the potential are analyzed. It is shown that the potential for PV in Swedish agriculture is high, but what is fully realizable is limited by the capacity of the rural power grid. A case study in the rural municipality of Herrljunga was conducted and scaled to national level. The study shows that the risk of surges in the medium voltage grid (10 kV) in rural areas are small in case where all roof surfaces with an annual solar irradiance of over 950 kWh/m2 are used for solar power. The total electricity production from the Swedish agriculture, if all roof areas with this irradiance level were used, is estimated to 4 TWh annually. With solar power on all roof surfaces with an annual irradiance of at least 900 kWh per m2 problems with voltage rise and overloads in the electricity grid might occur. The electrical grid capacities thus substantially limit how much solar power can be installed. Our results also show that the profitability limits the potential to 0.2 TWh on a national level, but that it could increase if more optimistic economic conditions are assumed.

Ämnesord

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Energiteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Energy Engineering (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Naturresursteknik -- Energisystem (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Environmental Engineering -- Energy Systems (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Agriculture

Profitability

Renewable energy resources

Roofs

Rural areas

Solar energy

Economic condition

Electricity grids

Electricity production

Medium voltage grid

Photovoltaic systems

Rural municipalities

Solar irradiances

Technical potential

Electric power transmission networks

Engineering Science

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

kon (ämneskategori)