Innovative PV Structures for Single Axis Tracker Agrophotovoltaics

ABSTRACT

Achieving the Net Zero Emissions scenario by 2050 requires an average annual growth in generation of 24% over the 2020-2030 period, which corresponds to nearly 630 GW per year worldwide. This trend has already led to increased land use competition, and thus paved the way for new solutions that integrate the increased demand for solar generation with existing land use. Among these, agrophotovoltaic (APV) is one of the trends of greatest interest. A2A is therefore looking for innovative solutions for PV module structures in agrophotovoltaic plants that enable PV production without hindering crops growth and farmer activities or, better, improving farming yield.

This Theoretical Challenge requires only a written proposal.

 

OVERVIEW

Solar PV generation is extremely dynamic for both utility-scale and distributed power generation applications, reaching 2020 almost 821 TWh with a 23% increase over the previous year. However, to reach the Net Zero Emissions by 2050 scenario, as outlined by the IEA Solar PV Report 2021, the annual deployment until 2030 needs to increase fivefold, with a 24% annual average increase over the 2020-2030 period.

To meet these significant growth values, in Italy and all over the world, agrophotovoltaic is spreading as a solution to combine the increase in demand for solar energy with the agricultural use of the land.

However, to date, the world of agrophotovoltaic is still in the development phase both for regulatory issues and technological reasons, as there are no large-scale no standard photovoltaic structures that meet the demand for flexibility, modularity, minimum land occupation, and mechanical performance and that can be deployed in farms without hindering crops growth and farmer activities. A2A is therefore looking for solutions to innovate agrophotovoltaic high structures.

This is a Theoretical Challenge that requires only a written proposal to be submitted. The Challenge award will be contingent upon theoretical evaluation of the proposal by the Seeker.

To receive an award, the Solvers will have to transfer to the Seeker their exclusive Intellectual Property (IP) rights to the solution.

Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 11:59 PM (US Eastern Time) on August 29, 2022. 

Late submissions will not be considered.

 

ELIGIBILITY

Employees of A2A Group and their families are not eligible to receive awards for this Challenge.

 

ABOUT THE SEEKER

The A2A Group is the largest Italian multi utility, at the forefront of territorial services and technological solutions. We design smart and sustainable cities, with respect for the citizens, we are protagonists of energy transition, and we implement the principle of the circular economy in all of our activities. With a far-reaching strategic plan, we manage the generation, sale and distribution of electricity and gas, district heating, waste collection and recovery, e-mobility, public lighting, and the integrated water services.

 

What is InnoCentive?

InnoCentive is the global innovation marketplace where creative minds solve some of the world's most important problems for cash awards up to $1 million. Commercial, governmental and humanitarian organizations engage with InnoCentive to solve problems that can impact humankind in areas ranging from the environment to medical advancements.

What is a Theoretical IP Transfer Challenge?

An InnoCentive Theoretical Challenge builds upon an idea but is not yet a proof of concept. A solution to a Theoretical Challenge will solidify the Solver’s concept with detailed descriptions, specifications and requirements necessary to bringing a good idea closer to becoming an actual product or service.

This Challenge is a Theoretical IP Transfer Challenge, meaning that Solvers must relinquish all rights to the Intellectual Property (IP) for which they are awarded. By contrast, Theoretical-Licensing Transfer means that the Seeker is requesting non-exclusive rights to use the winning solution. For these forms of a Theoretical Challenge, Solvers that do not win retain the rights to their solution after the evaluation period is complete. The Seeker retains no rights to any IP not awarded.