curved mirrors to focus sunlight onto small, highly efficient, multi-junction (MJ) solar cells. In addition, CPV systems often use solar trackers and sometimes Concentrator photovoltaics (CPV), also called concentrating photovoltaics or concentration photovoltaics, is a photovoltaic technology that generates electricity from sunlight. Unlike conventional photovoltaic systems, it uses lenses or curved mirrors to focus sunlight onto small, highly efficient, multi-junction (MJ) solar cells. In addition, CPV systems often use solar trackers and sometimes a c Co…

Agricultural land is increasingly under pressure from expanding solar energy infrastructure, leading to a growing conflict between food and energy production. Conventional photovoltaic (PV) systems often reduce crop yields due to shading and suboptimal light conditions for photosynthesis. This study introduces a Red Spectrum Splitting Concentrated Agrivoltaic (RSSCA) system designed to overcome these limitations by selectively directing specific wavelengths of sunlight to serve both agricultural and energy needs. The system uses a Fresnel lens and dichroic mirror to concentrate solar radiation and split the spectrum: red light (around 630 nm), essential for rice growth, is transmitted to the crops, while the remaining wavelengths are directed to high-efficiency multi-junction solar cells. We employed optical simulations and analytical modeling to assess system performance. Results show a photoelectric conversion efficiency of 31.2% and adequate Daily Light Integral (DLI) levels for rice cultivation in high-sunlight regions such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. For instance, DLI values in Hanoi range from 14.3 to 32.2 mol/m2/day and in Ho Chi Minh City from 24.3 to 37.8 mol/m2/day, compared to 6.6-16.1 and 14.4-18.2 mol/m2/day under conventional PV systems, respectively. Electricity production with RSSCA peaks at 2790 W/m2/day in Ho Chi Minh City and 2577 W/m2/day in Hanoi, outperforming traditional PV setups by 3-5 times. Compared to conventional PV systems, the RSSCA offers improved light uniformity, better land-use efficiency, and significantly higher electricity generation. However, in regions with limited direct sunlight, such as Seoul in winter, system performance decreases. These findings suggest the RSSCA system is well-suited for tropical and subtropical areas where direct sunlight is abundant. It presents a viable solution for enhancing both food production and renewable energy generation on shared land.

Q&A What is the main scope of the first thermal enhanced oil recovery (EOR) project in the Middle East and what are the technologies involved? Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), the largest producer of oil and gas in Oman, partnered with GlassPoint to build the Middle East’s first EOR project. GlassPoint’s Enclosed Trough technology was selected because of its protective glasshouse structure and streamlined oilfield integration. This technology takes proven concentrated solar power trough designs and pairs them with an agricultural glasshouse, making a system uniquely suited for desert oilfield applications. The 7 MW system is now in daily operation, generating an average of 50 tons of emissions-free steam per day that feeds directly into existing thermal EOR operations at PDO’s Amal West oil field. Was “cutting-edge technology” used in the development of the project? The Enclosed Trough architecture is an innovative approach to concentrated solar power. The system uses traditional agricultural glasshouses to protect solar collectors in a sealed environment, free of dust, dirt, sand, and humidity. By shielding the solar collectors from the elements, low-cost, lightweight materials can be used. The system generates steam by using ultra-lightweight curved mirrors. These aluminum mirrors move throughout the day, tracking the sun and focusing light on stationary receiver tubes. The high-intensity light heats the water in the receiver tubes to generate high-pressure steam for EOR.