Agrivoltaics​#

Research context: Corentin Coutellier and collaborators · wheat beneath photovoltaic structures.

Can two photovoltaic layouts with similar average shading expose crops to different light environments? Panel geometry produces moving patches of sun and shade. A 3D representation lets you follow that variation down to individual plants and leaves, then examine its consequences for crop physiology.

From panel layout to plant response​#

STICS supplies crop development, ArchiCrop reconstructs wheat plants, and photovoltaic structures are added to the 3D scene. ArchimedLight computes PAR and near-infrared radiation through time, including the light pattern created by the panels. PlantBiophysics uses the local radiative environment to simulate photosynthesis, leaf temperature, and evapotranspiration.

This workflow provides a way to examine the limits of indicators based on average shading or ground coverage. Plants at different positions can receive different light sequences, even when the overall panel coverage is similar. The study asks how much of that spatial and temporal variation needs to be retained when predicting crop performance.

Source code​#

The code for this application is available at FSPM2026AgriPVDesign.

Reference​#

Coutellier, C., Vezy, R., Braud, O., Assoa, Y. B., Christophe, A., Combes, D., and Ménézo, C. (2026). Assessing the Limits of Non-Spatialized Indicators for Predicting Crop Performance in Agrivoltaic Systems. FSPM 2026, Montpellier, France. Conference programme.

For the modelling steps, see building a scene, light outputs, and coupling physiological processes.