Migal's Knowledge Center for Agro PV

Following the move in the banana sector to cultivation under netting providing a shading factor of 10%, as a means of protection against wind damage, in the year 2000 we saw a rise in yields along with savings of irrigation water.  In recent years we have been testing netting with a shading factor of 30% and with unique physical properties. We found that these nets have the potential to provide significant savings of irrigation water with significantly increased yield. 

The findings of this research and our expertise in this sector of agriculture have enabled us to conduct a comprehensive study of the ramifications of installing solar panels and the effect on the physiology of the banana plant, growth factors, flowering and yields. 

Worldwide avocado production in 2017 stood at about 6 million tons over 5.9 million dunams. Despite the attractive qualities of this crop, avocados are especially sensitive to extreme climate damage that harms growth and as a result significantly impacts growers’ profits. As part of our comprehensive work in this sector, we examined the use of shade netting above the tree foliage. These shading nets provided significant protection from frost and cold, and we have initial evidence of their efficiency in preventing damage due to extreme heat. Therefore, our assessment is that the installation of solar panels over avocado orchards could assist in the efforts to cope with extreme climate damage, while providing optimal production of electricity. 
 

In deciduous orchards in general and specifically with apples, it was found that it is beneficial to cover the orchard with netting in order to reduce solar damage and improve the quality of the fruit. Today, in many orchards netting is used to reduce sun damage. The netting is a challenge for colorful fruit since they need short exposure to the sun during ripening in order to obtain their color. Additionally, in deciduous orchards, in the winter months there is no foliage and therefore one must direct the solar panels so that they cover most of the area for maximum harnessing of the winter sun.  The integration of solar panels in deciduous orchards could therefore lead to improvements in yield quality and profitability. 

Vineyard and grape orchards typically have relatively less foliage and are therefore extremely suitable for coverage with solar panels. At the same time, in vineyards the crop is for the most part industrial and space must be left for the passage of double row sprayers and harvesters. Therefore it appears that a solar structure will hurt the profitability of the vineyard. In table grape orchards on the other hand, the work is manual and an investigation of solar panels with a design adapted to expose the bunches to light under shade has great potential.

The Kiwi is a deciduous strain, whose cultivation is limited to the high areas in the north of the country, due to the need for cold environment. Moreover, the Kiwi is a vine and therefore sensitive to wind, but the use of shade netting to provide a solution for these problems hinders the work of bees and pollination and therefore reduces crop yield. We believe that solar panels will also provide a solution for the wind problem, and will be beneficial for the water regimen without affecting pollination. 

Our accumulated experience and the Collaborations we create with companies engaged in agrovoltaic ventures, give us the ability, the knowledge and the experience to launch agrovoltaic pilot ventures and assist with the definition of specifications. 

The global seaweed industry annually produces over 30 million tons of algae with a total value of over $ 10 billion and is expected to double by January 2030.
 
The Gracilaria algae, for example, is being used mainly to produce food agar, but also as a fresh and dry edible vegetables as a source of protein, for creating an ingredient for the cosmetics industry, or as sunscreens. It has also been found that Gracilaria has biological-medical activity such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral substance.

One of the ideas for improving algae growth is to create an array of solar panels that will meet the increased demand for alternative protein. Furthermore, changing the light conditions by using the solar panels has the potential to enrich the amount of protein in the algae  and its bio-active compounds.