Balancing crop production and energy harvesting in organic solar-powered greenhouses

Adding semitransparent organic solar cells (ST-OSCs) to a greenhouse structure enables simultaneous plant cultivation and electricity generation, thereby reducing the greenhouse energy demand. However, there is a need to establish the impact of such systems on plant growth and indoor climate and to optimize system tradeoffs. In this work, we consider plant growth under OSCs and system-relevant design. We evaluate the growth of red leaf lettuce under ST-OSC filters and compare the impact of three different OSC active layers that have unique transmittance. We find no significant differences in the fresh weight and chlorophyll content of the lettuce grown under these OSC filters. In addition, OSCs provide an opportunity for further light and thermal management of the greenhouse through device design and optical coatings. The OSCs can thus affect plant growth, power generation, and thermal load of the greenhouse, and this design trade space is reviewed and exemplified.

Automated summary

The study investigates the impact of adding semitransparent organic solar cells (ST-OSCs) to greenhouse structures on plant growth, finding that different OSC active layers have minimal effects on red leaf lettuce growth. OSCs also provide an opportunity for further light and thermal management in the greenhouse.