REGACE Project celebrates 18 months of progress and innovation
As we at the EU-funded REGACE project mark our first year and a half of activity, we are excited to share with you the significant progress we have achieved and our plans for the future.
Our Mission
REGACE aims to develop and validate an innovative technology for generating renewable electricity inside greenhouses year-round, while enabling constant food production.
Our goal is to demonstrate that agrivoltaic solar energy generation, combined with CO2 enrichment to improve crop yields, is a viable year-round solution across different climates. This approach is competitive with ground-based solutions, superior in environmental impact, supports food security, and creates new economic opportunities.
Achievements So Far
The first stage of the project presented various challenges, but we are proud to have overcome most obstacles and achieved the following milestones:
- Installation and Setup: Completed the installation and setup of responsive tracking systems in greenhouses across six test sites in Germany, Austria, Italy, Israel, and Greece.
- Solar Panel Development: Designed and developed a new range of solar panels with various sizes and light transmission levels, tailored to the specific needs of different greenhouse structures and diverse types of agricultural crops.
- Mechanical Customization: Customized the mechanical components of the solar system to fit various greenhouse structures in terms of size, strength, and safety, ensuring durability and efficiency.
- CO2 Enrichment Protocols: Started developing CO2 enrichment protocols for the test locations.
- System Testing: Initiated the operation and testing of the responsive tracking system and software, allowing users to adjust to environmental conditions in greenhouses.
- Controlled Experiments: Conducted controlled experiments in phytotrons, growing plants with low light at various levels and CO2 concentrations to calibrate the responsive tracking system.
Looking Ahead
As you can see, we have made significant progress on our journey to generate large amounts of renewable electricity year-round, while enabling constant food production without energy limitations. We are excited about the future and look forward to sharing more updates and achievements with you soon.
Stay tuned for more exciting news!
Best regards,
Dr. Ibrahim Yehia
REGACE coordinator