Review of photovoltaic energy access for sustainable growth in the agricultural sector: Economic, market and employment opportunities for rural communities of Sub-Saharan African

  • Patrick Taiwo Ogunboyo Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Federal University of Technology
  • Omojola Ogunlade Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Federal University of Technology
Keywords: photovoltaic, energy, agriculture, Sub-Saharan, electrification, renewable

Abstract

Photovoltaic solar energy is one of the immaculate non-pollutant origins of inexhaustible sources of energy. As a result of the increase in energy demand and the bad effects of carbon-containing fuels on the world environment, several nations reflect on photovoltaic solar energy as the appropriate and possible choice for electrification in rural agriculture applications and household practices. To satisfy the increasing electrical energy need and reduce the production of gas. The use of photovoltaic energy cannot be overemphasized in agricultural applications in rural areas. Photovoltaic and electrification in agriculture is the formation of photovoltaic production of electricity, heat, and some other forms of energy. In agriculture, it means making available green energy and being able to maintain electricity for farming activities. The review will focus on energy access/usage for boosting farming activities in rural communities of Sub-Saharan African nations. It will also offer a critical review of the methodical investigation by different researchers on photovoltaic solar energy and electrification in agricultural applications for quality improvement in energy generation in rural areas for agricultural purposes, which in turn generates employment opportunities for people living in rural communities in Sub-Saharan African countries. The investigation covers several forms of photovoltaic systems, such as solar energy for cooling storages, pumping water for irrigation activities, heating/cooling greenhouses and drying crops for rural communities in Sub-African. It describes different principal application forms of photovoltaic solar energy in agriculture, photovoltaic solar energy issues, the principle of operation of photovoltaic, its uses, problems, and opportunities. Furthermore, this study discusses the economic analysis and market related opportunities of photovoltaic systems. It has been shown beyond reasonable doubt that photovoltaic solar energy would be an appropriate option for electrification in agriculture, particularly in the distant typical remote environment. The review concludes that the prospects of the research will be economic development potential and employment creation opportunities in the Sub-Saharan African communities.

References

Climatescope 2020, World Bank Energy for Growth, Bloomberg NEF.

International Energy Agency (IEA) World Energy Outlook 2015-Methodology for Energy Access Analysis. Available online: http://www.Worldenergyyoulook.rg/media/weowebsite/2015/EnergyAccess_Methodology_2015 PDF (accessed on 25 June 2016).

Strunk Jr W, White EB. The Elements of Style, 3rd ed. Macmillan, New York, 1979.

Mettam GR, Adams LB. Introduction to the Electronic Age, E-Publishing Inc., New York, 1999, pp. 281–304.

Mehmood A, Wasy A, Waqas A, Song JI. Development and Computational Flow Analysis of GSM Based Automated Solar Water Pump. 2013. 1–8.

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Available online: http://globalatlas.irena.org (accessed on 25 June 2016).

Goldemberg J. World Energy Assessment: Energy and the Challenge of Sustainability. United Nations Development Programme, UNDP; 2001. pp. 220–272.

Landi M, Benelli G. Protecting crop species from biotic and abiotic constraints in the era of Global Change: are we ready for this challenge? American Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences. 2016; 11(2): 51-53. doi: 10.3844/ajabssp.2016.51.53

Hoppe W, Bringezu S, Thonemann N. Comparison of global warming potential between conventionally produced and CO2-based natural gas used in transport versus chemical production. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2016; 121: 231-237. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.02.042

Chel A, Kaushik G. Renewable energy for sustainable agriculture. Agronomy for Sustainable Development. 2011; 31(1): 91-118. doi: 10.1051/agro/2010029

Hoogwijk MM. On the global and regional potential of renewable energy sources [PhD thesis]. 2004.

Torshizi MV, Mighani AH. The application of solar energy in agricultural systems. Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development. 2017; 3(2): 234-240. doi: 10.21622/resd.2017.03.2.234

Turkenburg WC. Renewable energy technologies. In: World Energy Assessment. United Nations; 2000.

Wasfi M. Solar energy and photovoltaic systems. Multidisciplinary Journals in Science and Technology, Journal of Selected Areas in Renewable and Sustainable Energy. 2011.

Xue J. Photovoltaic agriculture - New opportunity for photovoltaic applications in China. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2017; 73: 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2017.01.098

GNESD. Global Network on Energy for Sustainable Development. Energy Access theme results. (UNEP). 2004.

Goldemberg J. World Energy Assessment: Energy and the challenge of sustainability, United Nations Development Programme, 2000. pp. 1-29.

Quiggin J. The End of the Nuclear Renaissance. National Interest. 2012.

Solar photovoltaics: Competing in the energy sector. European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA).

IEA (International Energy Agency). Africa energy outlook: A focus on energy prospects in sub-Saharan Africa. Paris. 2014.

Climate Vulnerable Forum. the CVF Vision. Available online: http://www.thecvf.org/marrakech-vision/ (accessed on 18 November 2023).

IEA (International Energy Agency). World energy outlook 2016. Paris. 2016.

GeoSUN Africa. Global horizontal irradiation: Africa and Middle East. Available online: http://geosun.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/SolarGIS-Solar-mapAfrica-and-Middle-East-en.png (accessed on 18 November 2023).

Eker B. Solar powered water pumping systems. Trakia Journal of Sciences. 2005; 3: 7-11.

Conserve Energy Future. How do solar panels work? Available online: https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/howsolarpowerpanelswork.php (accessed on 18 November 2023).

Maghami MR, Hizam H, Gomes C, et al. Power loss due to soiling on solar panel: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2016; 59: 1307-1316. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2016.01.044

Mani M, Pillai R. Impact of dust on solar photovoltaic (PV) performance: Research status, challenges and recommendations. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2010; 14(9): 3124-3131. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2010.07.065

Dupraz C, Marrou H, Talbot G, et al. Combining solar photovoltaic panels and food crops for optimising land use: Towards new agrivoltaic schemes. Renewable Energy. 2011; 36(10): 2725-2732. doi: 10.1016/j.renene.2011.03.005

Maher A, Kamel E, Enrico F, et al. An intelligent system for the climate control and energy savings in agricultural greenhouses. Energy Efficiency. 2016; 9(6): 1241-1255. doi: 10.1007/s12053-015-9421-8

Leszczyński TZ. Solar energy prospects in the European Union. Earth’s crossroads—article no. 1069 (Polish). 2010.

Michalski MŁ. World solar energy resources and directions for their use (Polish). Czysta Energia. 2006.

Swatowska B. Photovoltaics. Types of solar cells. Characteristics I-Vi diagnostics of cells (Polish). AGH.cWykład. 2016.

Klugmann-Radziemska E. Practical use of solar energy. Article in the framework of the project “Renewable Energy Sources of Opole Region” No. 1/POKL/ (Polish). 2008.

International Energy Agency. World Energy Outlook. Available online: http://www.worldenergyoutlook.org/resources/energysubsidies/fossilfuelsubsidydatabase/ (accessed on 6 June 2023).

IPCC Climate Change 2007. Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Geneva, Switzerland. 2007.

IRENA. Renewable Energy Technologies: Cost Analysis Series. Biomass for Power Generation. 2012; 1(1/5).

Malec A, Borowski G. Dust hazards and ambient air monitoring (Polish). Inżynieria Elologiczna. 2016; 50.

Małażewska S. Environmental public goods in agriculture and rural areas (Polish). Ekonomia i Środowisko. 2015; 1(52).

Breyer C, Koskinen O, Blechinger P. Profitable climate change mitigation: The case of greenhouse gas emission reduction benefits enabled by solar photovoltaic systems. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2015; 49: 610-628. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2015.04.061

Nayak D, Saetnan E, Cheng K, et al. Management opportunities to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from Chinese agriculture. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment. 2015; 209: 108-124. doi: 10.1016/j.agee.2015.04.035

Liu C. Grid connection of China’s distributed PV generation project with the combination of PV system and breeding. Available online: http://report.hebei.com.cn/system/ 2014/08/05/013771765.shtml (accessed on 6 June 2023).

Nacer T, Hamidat A, Nadjemi O. Feasibility Study and Electric Power Flow of Grid Connected Photovoltaic Dairy Farm in Mitidja (Algeria). Energy Procedia. 2014; 50: 581-588. doi: 10.1016/j.egypro.2014.06.071

Weselek A, Ehmann A, Zikeli S, et al. Agrophotovoltaic systems: applications, challenges, and opportunities. A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development. 2019; 39(4). doi: 10.1007/s13593-019-0581-3

Xinhuanet. The monthly income of 6000 RMB yuan for a farmer with a roof power station in Yantai. Available online: http://news.xinhuanet.com/local/2015-05/04/c_1115169677.htm (accessed on 6 June 2023).

Xinhuanet. Bulletin of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 16th CRC Central Committee. Available online: http://news.xinhuanet.com/politics/2005-10/11/content_3606215.htm (accessed on 6 June 2023).

Hassanien RHE, Li M, Dong Lin W. Advanced applications of solar energy in agricultural greenhouses. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2016; 54: 989-1001. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2015.10.095

Kamalapur GD, Udaykumar RY. Rural electrification in India and feasibility of Photovoltaic Solar Home Systems. International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems. 2011; 33(3): 594-599. doi: 10.1016/j.ijepes.2010.12.014

Zhu B, Zhang W, Du J, et al. Adoption of renewable energy technologies (RETs): A survey on rural construction in China. Technology in Society. 2011; 33(3-4): 223-230. doi: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2011.09.002

IRENA. Renewable Energy: A Gender Perspective. Available online: https://irena.org/publications/2019/Jan/Renewable-Energy-A-Gender-Perspective (accessed on 6 June 2023).

Chikaire JN, Nnadi FN, Nwakwasi RN, et al. Solar energy applications for agriculture. Journal of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences. 2010; 2: 58-62.

Qoaider L, Steinbrecht D. Photovoltaic systems: A cost competitive option to supply energy to off-grid agricultural communities in arid regions. Applied Energy. 2010; 87(2): 427-435. doi: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2009.06.012

Santra P, Pande PC, Kumar S, et al. Agri-voltaics or Solar farming: the concept of integrating solar PV based electricity generation and crop production in a single land use system. International Journal of Renewable Energy Research. 2017; 7: 694-699.

Schneider K, Schindele S. Agrophotovoltaics Goes Global: from Chile to Vietnam. Available online: https://www.ise.fraunhofer.de/content/dam/ise/en/documents/pressreleases/ 2018/1818_ISE_e_PR_APV_international.pdf (accessed on 6 June 2023).

Sharma PK, Samuel DVK. Solar photovoltaic-powered ventilation and cooling system of a greenhouse. Current Science. 2014; 106: 362-364.

Mekhilef S, Faramarzi SZ, Saidur R, et al. The application of solar technologies for sustainable development of agricultural sector. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2013; 18: 583-594. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2012.10.049

Ji J, Wang Y, Yuan W, et al. Experimental comparison of two PV direct-coupled solar water heating systems with the traditional system. Applied Energy. 2014; 136: 110-118. doi: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.09.037

Haddad S, Benghanem M, Mellit A, et al. ANNs-based modeling and prediction of hourly flow rate of a photovoltaic water pumping system: Experimental validation. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2015; 43: 635-643. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2014.11.083

Boutelhig A, Bakelli Y, Hadj Mahammed I, et al. Performances study of different PV powered DC pump configurations for an optimum energy rating at different heads under the outdoor conditions of a desert area. Energy. 2012; 39(1): 33-39. doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2011.10.016

Bouzidi B. New sizing method of PV water pumping systems. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments. 2013; 4: 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.seta.2013.08.004

Gopal C, Mohanraj M, Chandramohan P, et al. Renewable energy source water pumping systems—A literature review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2013; 25: 351-370. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2013.04.012

Ebaid MSY, Qandil H, Hammad M. A unified approach for designing a photovoltaic solar system for the underground water pumping well-34 at Disi aquifer. Energy Conversion and Management. 2013; 75: 780-795. doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2013.07.083

Mokeddem A, Midoun A, Kadri D, et al. Performance of a directly-coupled PV water pumping system. Energy Conversion and Management. 2011; 52(10): 3089-3095. doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2011.04.024

Periasamy P, Jain NK, Singh IP. A review on development of photovoltaic water pumping system. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2015; 43: 918-925. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2014.11.019

Zhang J, Liu J, Campana PE, et al. Model of evapotranspiration and groundwater level based on photovoltaic water pumping system. Applied Energy. 2014; 136: 1132-1137. doi: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.05.045

Fudholi A, Sopian K, Ruslan MH, et al. Review of solar dryers for agricultural and marine products. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2010; 14(1): 1-30. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2009.07.032

Fadhel MI, Sopian K, Daud WRW, et al. Review on advanced of solar assisted chemical heat pump dryer for agriculture produce. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2011; 15(2): 1152-1168. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2010.10.007

Bayrakcı AG, Koçar G. Utilization of renewable energies in Turkey’s agriculture. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2012; 16(1): 618-633. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2011.08.027

Bal LM, Satya S, Naik SN. Solar dryer with thermal energy storage systems for drying agricultural food products: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2010; 14(8): 2298-2314. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2010.04.014

Bal LM, Satya S, Naik SN, et al. Review of solar dryers with latent heat storage systems for agricultural products. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2011; 15(1): 876-880. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2010.09.006

Abdel-Ghany AM, Al-Helal IM. Solar energy utilization by a greenhouse: General relations. Renewable Energy. 2011; 36(1): 189-196. doi: 10.1016/j.renene.2010.06.020

Abdel-Ghany AM. Solar energy conversions in the greenhouses. Sustainable Cities and Society. 2011; 1(4): 219-226. doi: 10.1016/j.scs.2011.08.002

Benli H, Durmuş A. Performance analysis of a latent heat storage system with phase change material for new designed solar collectors in greenhouse heating. Solar Energy. 2009; 83(12): 2109-2119. doi: 10.1016/j.solener.2009.07.005

Korecko J, Jirka V, Sourek B, et al. Module greenhouse with high efficiency of transformation of solar energy, utilizing active and passive glass optical rasters. Solar Energy. 2010; 84(10): 1794-1808. doi: 10.1016/j.solener.2010.07.004

Davies PA. A solar cooling system for greenhouse food production in hot climates. Solar Energy. 2005; 79(6): 661-668. doi: 10.1016/j.solener.2005.02.001

Panwar NL, Kaushik SC, Kothari S. Solar greenhouse an option for renewable and sustainable farming. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2011; 15(8): 3934-3945. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2011.07.030

Radhwan AM, Fath HES. Thermal performance of greenhouses with a built-in solar distillation system: experimental study. Desalination. 2005; 181(1-3): 193-205. doi: 10.1016/j.desal.2005.05.005

Sethi VP, Arora S. Improvement in greenhouse solar drying using inclined north wall reflection. Solar Energy. 2009; 83(9): 1472-1484. doi: 10.1016/j.solener.2009.04.001

Berroug F, Lakhal EK, El Omari M, et al. Thermal performance of a greenhouse with a phase change material north wall. Energy and Buildings. 2011; 43(11): 3027-3035. doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2011.07.020

Murthy MVR. A review of new technologies, models and experimental investigations of solar driers. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2009; 13(4): 835-844. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2008.02.010

Montero I, Blanco J, Miranda T, et al. Design, construction and performance testing of a solar dryer for agroindustrial by-products. Energy Conversion and Management. 2010; 51(7): 1510-1521. doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2010.02.009

Sreekumar A, Manikantan PE, Vijayakumar KP. Performance of indirect solar cabinet dryer. Energy Conversion and Management. 2008; 49(6): 1388-1395. doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2008.01.005

Belessiotis V, Delyannis E. Solar drying. Solar Energy. 2011; 85(8): 1665-1691. doi: 10.1016/j.solener.2009.10.001

Jain D. Modeling the performance of the reversed absorber with packed bed thermal storage natural convection solar crop dryer. Journal of Food Engineering. 2007; 78(2): 637-647. doi: 10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2005.10.035

Sharma A, Chen CR, Vu Lan N. Solar-energy drying systems: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2009; 13(6-7): 1185-1210. doi: 10.1016/j.rser.2008.08.015

Complete panels cost guide involves payback period. Available online: http://www.solarpanelscostguide.com/ (accessed on 20 April 2013).

Benefit s of Renewable Energy. Available online: http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/our-energychoices/renewable-energy/public-benefits-of-renewable (accessed 20 November 2013).

Photovoltaic Geographical Information System. Performance of grid-connected PV. Available online: http://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvgis/apps4/pvest.php?map=africa (accessed 17 January 2014).

Aroonsrimorakot S, Laiphrakpam M. Application of solar energy technology in agricultural farming for sustainable development: A review article. International Journal of Agricultural Technology. 2019; 15: 685-692.

Brudermann T, Reinsberger K, Orthofer A, et al. Photovoltaics in agriculture: A case study on decision making of farmers. Energy Policy. 2013; 61: 96-103. doi: 10.1016/j.enpol.2013.06.081

Hatirli SA, Ozkan B, Fert C. Energy inputs and crop yield relationship in greenhouse tomato production. Renewable Energy. 2006; 31(4): 427-438. doi: 10.1016/j.renene.2005.04.007

Heidari MD, Omid M. Energy use patterns and econometric models of major greenhouse vegetable productions in Iran. Energy. 2011; 36(1): 220-225. doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2010.10.048

Mohammadi A, Omid M. Economical analysis and relation between energy inputs and yield of greenhouse cucumber production in Iran. Applied Energy. 2010; 87(1): 191-196. doi: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2009.07.021

Dhamakale SD, Patil SB. Fuzzy logic approach with microcontroller for climate controlling in green house. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning. 2011; 2: 17-19.

Fabrizio E. Energy reduction measures in agricultural greenhouses heating: Envelope, systems and solar energy collection. Energy and Buildings. 2012; 53: 57-63. doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2012.07.003

Esen M, Yuksel T. Experimental evaluation of using various renewable energy sources for heating a greenhouse. Energy and Buildings. 2013; 65: 340-351. doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2013.06.018

Green MA. Photovoltaics: technology overview. Energy Policy. 2000; 28: 989-998.

Oliver M, Jackson T. The evolution of economic and environmental cost for crystalline silicon photovoltaic. Energy Policy. 2000; 28: 1011-1021.

Harinarayana T, Vasavi KSV. Solar Energy Generation Using Agriculture Cultivated Lands. Smart Grid and Renewable Energy. 2014; 05(02): 31-42. doi: 10.4236/sgre.2014.52004

Mala K, Schläpfer A, Pryor T. Better or worse? The role of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in sustainable development: Case studies of remote atoll communities in Kiribati. Renewable Energy. 2009; 34(2): 358-361. doi: 10.1016/j.renene.2008.05.013

IEA. World Energy Outlook 2018. IEA; 2018.

Abah J. Nigeria: “What is working and what is not”, Nigerian Bureau of Public Sector Reforms” Acumen (2017), An Evidence Review: How affordable is off-grid energy in Africa. 2017.

Published
2024-02-20
How to Cite
Ogunboyo, P. T., & Ogunlade, O. (2024). Review of photovoltaic energy access for sustainable growth in the agricultural sector: Economic, market and employment opportunities for rural communities of Sub-Saharan African. Applied Photovoltaic Technology, 1(1). Retrieved from https://ojs.acad-pub.com/index.php/APT/article/view/323
Section
Review Articles