Sustainable and Intelligent Phytoprotection in Photovoltaic Agriculture: New Challenges and Opportunities

Photovoltaic Agriculture (PA) is a new management system combining industry with modern agriculture that can effectively reduce the competition for limited land resource usage between electric power production and agricultural production. However, PA has been facing the challenge of managing plant protection measures because it is difficult to monitor plants grown under the photovoltaic panels by remote sensing satellites and pesticide applications using drones. To overcome this challenge, Solar Insecticidal Lamps (SILs) can be used for phytoprotection in PA. However, to effectively use SILs in PA, it is important to identify a suitable field location to maintain strong wireless communication signals. In this paper, two testbeds were designed and a series of experiments in PA was performed. The results indicate that there is considerable interference exists around the confluence box. A higher interference seriously reduces the Packet Reception Rate (PRR) of the nearby node, which is an important constraint for deploying wireless sensors in PA. Finally, new challenges and future research opportunities are proposed.

Automated summary

Photovoltaic Agriculture (PA) combines industry with modern agriculture to reduce competition for limited land resources between electric power and agriculture. However, managing plant protection measures in PA is challenging due to difficulties in monitoring plants grown under photovoltaic panels and applying pesticides using drones. Solar Insecticidal Lamps (SILs) can be used for phytoprotection in PA, but a suitable field location is crucial for maintaining strong wireless communication signals.