Morphology, yield and quality of greenhouse tomato cultivation with flexible photovoltaic rooftop panels (Almeria-Spain)

Flexible photovoltaic panels are an option to generate renewable energy that could be compatible with the production of greenhouse crops, especially in warm sunny countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate, during two growing seasons, the effect of shading caused by flexible photovoltaic panels mounted on the greenhouse roof on tomato plant morphology and fruit yield and quality. This study was conducted during two growing seasons in a commercial greenhouse for tomato production. Two photovoltaic panel arrays placed on the greenhouse roof were analysed. Both occupied 9.8% of the cover. The parameters studied were PAR, plant morphology, crop yield and fruit quality. The results show that the small reduction in PAR caused by flexible photovoltaic panels on the roof did not affect the total and marketable yield; plant morphology; number of flowers per branch; and fruit colour, firmness and pH. However, the fruit diameter decreased, without affecting the yield (kgm(-2)). Both flexible photovoltaic panel arrays on the greenhouse roof produced a similar effect on plant morphology, crop yield and fruit quality.