Installation of an Agrivoltaic System Influences Microclimatic Conditions and Leaf Gas Exchange in Cranberry

Cranberry production is vital to the economy of Massachusetts and in 2018 the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources launched the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program to create financial incentives for agrivoltaic systems. Agrivoltaic systems utilize the same area for both solar power generation and agricultural production. The goal of this research was to conduct a preliminary study to look at the changes in microclimatic conditions, plant ecophysiology, fruit quality, and yield under a cranberry agrivoltaic system. The study was conducted on a 'Stevens' cranberry bog in Carver, Massachusetts, USA. Two treatments were evaluated: an uncovered control area and a replica agrivoltaic system with three prototype solar arrays. Microclimatic sensors were installed under solar arrays, between solar arrays, and in the uncovered control.