Performance Evaluation of Rooftop Agrivoltaic (AV) System for Energy Generation
D. B. Barad
Directorate of Research, University Bhavan, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh-362001, Gujarat, India.
S. V. Kelaiya
Department of Renewable Energy Engg., College of Agril. Engg. & Tech., Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh-362001, Gujarat, India.
V. P. Joshi *
Directorate of Research, University Bhavan, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh-362001, Gujarat, India.
M. S. Dulawat
Department of Renewable Energy Engg., College of Agril. Engg. & Tech., Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh-362001, Gujarat, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The increasing pressure on land, food supply and renewable energy production has created a need for technologies that can improve space-use efficiency without separating cultivation from power generation. This study evaluated the energy-generation performance of a 3.0 kW rooftop agrivoltaic (AV) system installed at the Department of Renewable Energy Engineering, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, Gujarat, India. The system occupied 38.17 m² and consisted of 20 polycrystalline photovoltaic modules of 150 W each. The modules were installed in a south-facing check-type layout with alternate blank spaces and an inclination angle equal to the local latitude. Energy performance was assessed from November 2025 to March 2026 using standard photovoltaic performance indicators, including total energy output, final yield, reference yield, performance ratio, capacity factor and system efficiency. During the experimental period, the rooftop AV system generated 1568.2 kWh of electrical energy. Monthly energy generation was highest in January, while the highest daily final yield, reference yield, capacity factor and system efficiency were recorded in March. The overall final yield and reference yield were 4.36 h/day and 5.99 h/day, respectively. The overall performance ratio, capacity factor and system efficiency were 0.73, 18.15% and 11.01%, respectively. The results indicate that the developed rooftop AV system was technically feasible for decentralised electricity generation within the study period. However, crop response, microclimatic effects, long-term performance and economic feasibility require further evaluation.
Keywords: Agrivoltaics, rooftop agrivoltaic system, solar photovoltaic system, renewable energy, decentralised, energy generation, performance ratio, capacity factor, final yield, reference yield, system efficiency, rooftop agriculture.