A numerical simulation of the photovoltaic greenhouse microclimate

Abstract Accurately predicting the distributed microclimate inside greenhouse equipped with photovoltaic panels would be a prerequisite to developing a sustainable energy-saving greenhouse. Predicting the microclimate can contribute to enhanced performance in these kinds of greenhouses by improving the radiation transmission efficiency inside. In this context, solar radiation distribution, thermal air, water vapor and the dynamics fields were simulated using the Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) model in two different prototypes of greenhouses (Asymmetric and Venlo) equipped with photovoltaic panels on their roof. Crop cover characteristics and the interactions between crops and airflow were taken into account. Two arrangements of photovoltaic panels array were tested straight-line and checkerboard. A detailed description of the thermal, dynamic and radiation fields inside the greenhouses was obtained and the analysis of data collected during this study show that (i) solar radiation is more evenly distributed in the Venlo greenhouse than in the Asymmetric greenhouse. On average, the mean solar radiation transmission in the Asymmetric greenhouse is 41.6% whereas that of the Venlo greenhouse is 46%. (ii) Compared to the straight-line arrangement, the checkerboard photovoltaic panel setup improved the balance of the spatial distribution of sunlight received in the greenhouse.