Use of Solar Panels for Shade for Holstein Heifers

Detalhes bibliográficos
Autor(a) principal: Faria, Ana Flávia P. A. [UNESP]
Data de Publicação: 2023
Outros Autores: Maia, Alex S. C. [UNESP], Moura, Gustavo A. B. [UNESP], Fonsêca, Vinícius F. C. [UNESP], Nascimento, Sheila T., Milan, Hugo F. M. [UNESP], Gebremedhin, Kifle G.
Tipo de documento: Artigo
Idioma: eng
Título da fonte: Repositório Institucional da UNESP
Texto Completo: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani13030329
http://hdl.handle.net/11449/246803
Resumo: Animal Agrivoltaics combines electric energy generation, animal thermal comfort, and sustainable production at the same time. This model of production can foster the sustainable intensification of dairy production in tropical areas where solar irradiance is high and nearly constant throughout the year. In this study, we propose Animal Agrivoltaics as an alternative practice to reduce the heat load and eCH4 emissions from dairy heifers in tropical areas. To attest this hypothesis, (1) the meteorological data and the behavioral and physiological responses of the animals were integrated in order to determine the benefits provided by the shade from the solar panels on the thermoregulation of the dairy heifers, and (2) measurements of the enteric methane emissions were taken to determine the potential of the solar panels to offset the GHG. Seven crossbred Holstein heifers (7/8, Holstein × Gyr) with a mean body weight of 242 kg (SD = 53.5) were evaluated in a paddock shaded with ten modules of solar panels. Miniature temperature loggers were used to record the body surface, skin and vaginal temperatures of the heifers every five minutes. The respiratory rate and the shade-use behavior were also monitored by two observers. These measurements were taken from 08:00 to 17:00 h for 18 consecutive days. After completing the field study, the heifers underwent for assessments of the daily oscillations of eCH4 emission using a flow-through respirometry system. The use of shade by the heifers was progressively increased (p < 0.01) with an increasing level of solar irradiance. Lying and ruminating were more likely (p < 0.01) to occur when the heifers were in the shade, especially when the solar irradiance exceeded 500 W m−2. Between 10:00 and 14:00 h, the heifers benefited from the shade produced by the solar panels, with a reduction of 40% in the radiant heat load. With an increasing intensity of solar irradiance, body surface temperature, skin temperature and respiratory rate of the heifers in the shade were lower (p < 0.01) compared to when they were exposed to the sun. The heifers had a daily methane emission total of 63.5 g per animal−1 or 1.7 kg of CO2-eq. Based on this emission rate and the amount of CO2-eq that was not emitted to the atmosphere due to the electricity generated by solar panels, 4.1 m2 of panels per animal (nominal power = 335 W) would be expected to obtain a net-zero eCH4 emission. Over a period of one year (from September 2018 to August 2019), a set of ten photovoltaic panels used in the study produced 4869.4 kWh of electricity, thereby saving US $970.00 or US $48.00 per m2 of solar panel. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that use of Animal Agrivoltaics, in addition to producing electricity, has significant potential benefit in providing better thermal comfort to cattle, as well as offsetting the enteric methane emissions released into the environment. In addition, the system would provide extra income to farmers, as well as a potential source of energy micro-generation.
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spelling Use of Solar Panels for Shade for Holstein Heifersanimal agrivoltaicsdairy cattleshadethermal comfortAnimal Agrivoltaics combines electric energy generation, animal thermal comfort, and sustainable production at the same time. This model of production can foster the sustainable intensification of dairy production in tropical areas where solar irradiance is high and nearly constant throughout the year. In this study, we propose Animal Agrivoltaics as an alternative practice to reduce the heat load and eCH4 emissions from dairy heifers in tropical areas. To attest this hypothesis, (1) the meteorological data and the behavioral and physiological responses of the animals were integrated in order to determine the benefits provided by the shade from the solar panels on the thermoregulation of the dairy heifers, and (2) measurements of the enteric methane emissions were taken to determine the potential of the solar panels to offset the GHG. Seven crossbred Holstein heifers (7/8, Holstein × Gyr) with a mean body weight of 242 kg (SD = 53.5) were evaluated in a paddock shaded with ten modules of solar panels. Miniature temperature loggers were used to record the body surface, skin and vaginal temperatures of the heifers every five minutes. The respiratory rate and the shade-use behavior were also monitored by two observers. These measurements were taken from 08:00 to 17:00 h for 18 consecutive days. After completing the field study, the heifers underwent for assessments of the daily oscillations of eCH4 emission using a flow-through respirometry system. The use of shade by the heifers was progressively increased (p < 0.01) with an increasing level of solar irradiance. Lying and ruminating were more likely (p < 0.01) to occur when the heifers were in the shade, especially when the solar irradiance exceeded 500 W m−2. Between 10:00 and 14:00 h, the heifers benefited from the shade produced by the solar panels, with a reduction of 40% in the radiant heat load. With an increasing intensity of solar irradiance, body surface temperature, skin temperature and respiratory rate of the heifers in the shade were lower (p < 0.01) compared to when they were exposed to the sun. The heifers had a daily methane emission total of 63.5 g per animal−1 or 1.7 kg of CO2-eq. Based on this emission rate and the amount of CO2-eq that was not emitted to the atmosphere due to the electricity generated by solar panels, 4.1 m2 of panels per animal (nominal power = 335 W) would be expected to obtain a net-zero eCH4 emission. Over a period of one year (from September 2018 to August 2019), a set of ten photovoltaic panels used in the study produced 4869.4 kWh of electricity, thereby saving US $970.00 or US $48.00 per m2 of solar panel. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that use of Animal Agrivoltaics, in addition to producing electricity, has significant potential benefit in providing better thermal comfort to cattle, as well as offsetting the enteric methane emissions released into the environment. In addition, the system would provide extra income to farmers, as well as a potential source of energy micro-generation.Innovation in Thermal Comfort and Animal Welfare (Inobio-Manera) Animal Biometeorology Laboratory São Paulo State University, SPBrain Function Research Group School of Physiology University of the Witwatersrand, GautengInnovation in Thermal Comfort and Animal Welfare (Inobio-Manera) Maringá State University, PRDepartment of Biological and Environmental Engineering Cornell UniversityInnovation in Thermal Comfort and Animal Welfare (Inobio-Manera) Animal Biometeorology Laboratory São Paulo State University, SPUniversidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)University of the WitwatersrandMaringá State UniversityCornell UniversityFaria, Ana Flávia P. A. [UNESP]Maia, Alex S. C. [UNESP]Moura, Gustavo A. B. [UNESP]Fonsêca, Vinícius F. C. [UNESP]Nascimento, Sheila T.Milan, Hugo F. M. [UNESP]Gebremedhin, Kifle G.2023-07-29T12:50:52Z2023-07-29T12:50:52Z2023-02-01info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/articlehttp://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani13030329Animals, v. 13, n. 3, 2023.2076-2615http://hdl.handle.net/11449/24680310.3390/ani130303292-s2.0-85147797926Scopusreponame:Repositório Institucional da UNESPinstname:Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)instacron:UNESPengAnimalsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess2023-07-29T12:50:52Zoai:repositorio.unesp.br:11449/246803Repositório InstitucionalPUBhttp://repositorio.unesp.br/oai/requestopendoar:29462023-07-29T12:50:52Repositório Institucional da UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)false
dc.title.none.fl_str_mv Use of Solar Panels for Shade for Holstein Heifers
title Use of Solar Panels for Shade for Holstein Heifers
spellingShingle Use of Solar Panels for Shade for Holstein Heifers
Faria, Ana Flávia P. A. [UNESP]
animal agrivoltaics
dairy cattle
shade
thermal comfort
title_short Use of Solar Panels for Shade for Holstein Heifers
title_full Use of Solar Panels for Shade for Holstein Heifers
title_fullStr Use of Solar Panels for Shade for Holstein Heifers
title_full_unstemmed Use of Solar Panels for Shade for Holstein Heifers
title_sort Use of Solar Panels for Shade for Holstein Heifers
author Faria, Ana Flávia P. A. [UNESP]
author_facet Faria, Ana Flávia P. A. [UNESP]
Maia, Alex S. C. [UNESP]
Moura, Gustavo A. B. [UNESP]
Fonsêca, Vinícius F. C. [UNESP]
Nascimento, Sheila T.
Milan, Hugo F. M. [UNESP]
Gebremedhin, Kifle G.
author_role author
author2 Maia, Alex S. C. [UNESP]
Moura, Gustavo A. B. [UNESP]
Fonsêca, Vinícius F. C. [UNESP]
Nascimento, Sheila T.
Milan, Hugo F. M. [UNESP]
Gebremedhin, Kifle G.
author2_role author
author
author
author
author
author
dc.contributor.none.fl_str_mv Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)
University of the Witwatersrand
Maringá State University
Cornell University
dc.contributor.author.fl_str_mv Faria, Ana Flávia P. A. [UNESP]
Maia, Alex S. C. [UNESP]
Moura, Gustavo A. B. [UNESP]
Fonsêca, Vinícius F. C. [UNESP]
Nascimento, Sheila T.
Milan, Hugo F. M. [UNESP]
Gebremedhin, Kifle G.
dc.subject.por.fl_str_mv animal agrivoltaics
dairy cattle
shade
thermal comfort
topic animal agrivoltaics
dairy cattle
shade
thermal comfort
description Animal Agrivoltaics combines electric energy generation, animal thermal comfort, and sustainable production at the same time. This model of production can foster the sustainable intensification of dairy production in tropical areas where solar irradiance is high and nearly constant throughout the year. In this study, we propose Animal Agrivoltaics as an alternative practice to reduce the heat load and eCH4 emissions from dairy heifers in tropical areas. To attest this hypothesis, (1) the meteorological data and the behavioral and physiological responses of the animals were integrated in order to determine the benefits provided by the shade from the solar panels on the thermoregulation of the dairy heifers, and (2) measurements of the enteric methane emissions were taken to determine the potential of the solar panels to offset the GHG. Seven crossbred Holstein heifers (7/8, Holstein × Gyr) with a mean body weight of 242 kg (SD = 53.5) were evaluated in a paddock shaded with ten modules of solar panels. Miniature temperature loggers were used to record the body surface, skin and vaginal temperatures of the heifers every five minutes. The respiratory rate and the shade-use behavior were also monitored by two observers. These measurements were taken from 08:00 to 17:00 h for 18 consecutive days. After completing the field study, the heifers underwent for assessments of the daily oscillations of eCH4 emission using a flow-through respirometry system. The use of shade by the heifers was progressively increased (p < 0.01) with an increasing level of solar irradiance. Lying and ruminating were more likely (p < 0.01) to occur when the heifers were in the shade, especially when the solar irradiance exceeded 500 W m−2. Between 10:00 and 14:00 h, the heifers benefited from the shade produced by the solar panels, with a reduction of 40% in the radiant heat load. With an increasing intensity of solar irradiance, body surface temperature, skin temperature and respiratory rate of the heifers in the shade were lower (p < 0.01) compared to when they were exposed to the sun. The heifers had a daily methane emission total of 63.5 g per animal−1 or 1.7 kg of CO2-eq. Based on this emission rate and the amount of CO2-eq that was not emitted to the atmosphere due to the electricity generated by solar panels, 4.1 m2 of panels per animal (nominal power = 335 W) would be expected to obtain a net-zero eCH4 emission. Over a period of one year (from September 2018 to August 2019), a set of ten photovoltaic panels used in the study produced 4869.4 kWh of electricity, thereby saving US $970.00 or US $48.00 per m2 of solar panel. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that use of Animal Agrivoltaics, in addition to producing electricity, has significant potential benefit in providing better thermal comfort to cattle, as well as offsetting the enteric methane emissions released into the environment. In addition, the system would provide extra income to farmers, as well as a potential source of energy micro-generation.
publishDate 2023
dc.date.none.fl_str_mv 2023-07-29T12:50:52Z
2023-07-29T12:50:52Z
2023-02-01
dc.type.status.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
dc.type.driver.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/article
format article
status_str publishedVersion
dc.identifier.uri.fl_str_mv http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani13030329
Animals, v. 13, n. 3, 2023.
2076-2615
http://hdl.handle.net/11449/246803
10.3390/ani13030329
2-s2.0-85147797926
url http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani13030329
http://hdl.handle.net/11449/246803
identifier_str_mv Animals, v. 13, n. 3, 2023.
2076-2615
10.3390/ani13030329
2-s2.0-85147797926
dc.language.iso.fl_str_mv eng
language eng
dc.relation.none.fl_str_mv Animals
dc.rights.driver.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
eu_rights_str_mv openAccess
dc.source.none.fl_str_mv Scopus
reponame:Repositório Institucional da UNESP
instname:Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)
instacron:UNESP
instname_str Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)
instacron_str UNESP
institution UNESP
reponame_str Repositório Institucional da UNESP
collection Repositório Institucional da UNESP
repository.name.fl_str_mv Repositório Institucional da UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)
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