ÖMER YALÇIN
Electrical Performance and Light Distribution Analysis of an Agrivoltaic (AgriPV) System: Taşarası Case Study in Balıkesir-Havran
Abstract
Photovoltaic (PV) systems require large land areas, which can lead to significant land-use conflicts with the agricultural sector. Agricultural photovoltaic (AgriPV) systems offer a highly sustainable and innovative solution by enabling simultaneous agricultural production and renewable energy generation on the same plot of land. This study presents a comprehensive electrical performance and dynamic light distribution analysis of a pilot AgriPV system planned in Taşarası, Havran (Balıkesir, Turkey) within the scope of the FrontAg Nexus project. The proposed system utilizes 24 double-sided TopCon PV modules, reaching a total installed capacity of 14.04 kWp (DC) and 10 kWe (AC). The annual energy yield is robustly estimated at 20.15 MWh. To optimize plant growth conditions, the modules are strategically placed in an east-west direction with a constant tilt angle of 21° using a checkerboard arrangement. A detailed Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR) analysis was performed using Rhinoceros software and Ladybug environmental simulation tools. Based on 33 representative points meticulously selected from 120 measurement points, the average annual PAR values for the upper, middle, and lower rows under the modules were calculated as 668, 658, and 649 µmol/m²s, respectively. Specifically, the lower row reached a peak radiation value of 1024 µmol/m²s during the summer months due to its proximity to open structural voids. The analytical results definitively demonstrate that the proposed checkerboard arrangement provides an extremely balanced light distribution, preventing excessive shading while maintaining efficient clean energy production. This highlights the profound applicability of agricultural photovoltaic systems in driving regional energy transition and sustainable land use.
Biography
Ömer Yalçın is a researcher at ODTÜ-GÜNAM specializing in photovoltaic systems, agrivoltaic system design, and solar energy applications. He holds a Master’s degree in Advanced Technologies from Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University (2019) and a Bachelor’s degree in Energy Systems Engineering from Osmaniye Korkut Ata University (2014). His master’s thesis focused on the performance evaluation of solar power plants under different climatic conditions.
Before joining academia, he gained extensive industry experience working as an R&D Engineer at Kalyon PV, and as a Field Manager, Project Manager, and Energy Systems Engineer at various energy companies. Since 2023, he has been working as a researcher at the ODTÜ-GÜNAM Module Technologies Unit. His expertise encompasses the design, planning, and performance analysis of solar power plants; agrivoltaic system design and optimization; integration of energy storage systems; and experimental and numerical analyses using simulation tools such as PVsyst, Helioscope, and Ladybug Tools. He also holds professional certifications in PMI-PMP, Professional Scrum Master, and MS Project.
Ömer Yalçın has authored various scientific studies in the field of agrivoltaic systems, including articles published in the Renewable Energy journal and peer-reviewed conference presentations. He holds two separate patents and design registrations related to agrivoltaic module design and agricultural crop cultivation systems. He plays an active role in national and international research collaborations, such as the PV4Plants and Solarhub projects under the Horizon Europe framework and the TUBİTAK-funded S-ATP project. His work integrates innovative system solutions that combine solar energy with agricultural production, field-based experimental research, and simulation-focused performance analysis.