The application of large-scale organic photovoltaic modules above the canopy inside a tunnel-shaped greenhouse

The integration of photovoltaic (PV) panels into greenhouse cultivation has garnered increasing attention in recent years, driven by the dual goals of expanding renewable energy use and improving land-use efficiency for both crop production and electricity generation. This study combines experimental and modeling approaches to evaluate how the greenhouse environment influences the temperature of large-scale organic photovoltaic modules (OPVMs) installed horizontally above a tomato crop canopy in a tunnel-shaped greenhouse. The impact of temperature on the performance characteristics of OPVMs is well recognized. Therefore, predicting their temperature in a greenhouse environment is very important. Results show a strong correlation between OPVM temperature, ambient air temperature, and solar irradiance, with peak temperatures occurring around midday. The study demonstrates that the Ross model—a steady-state method commonly used to predict silicon PV temperature—can be effectively applied to OPVMs. Additionally, a new energy balance-based model is introduced, showing comparable accuracy. It is shown that differences in radiometric properties of the OPVMs had a negligible effect on their thermal response. Additionally, this study examines the power conversion efficiency of the modules throughout the growing season and the impact of OPVMs on tomato yield.