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Review

Solar Energy Applications in Protected Agriculture: A Technical and Bibliometric Review of Greenhouse Systems and Solar Technologies

by
John Javier Espitia
1,
Fabián Andrés Velázquez
1,
Jader Rodriguez
1,
Luisa Gomez
2,
Esteban Baeza
3,
Cruz Ernesto Aguilar-Rodríguez
4,
Jorge Flores-Velazquez
5,* and
Edwin Villagran
6
1
Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria—Agrosavia, Centro de Investigación Tibaitata, Km 14, vía Mosquera-Bogotá, Mosquera 250040, Colombia
2
Engineering and Technology Department, International University of La Rioja (UNIR), Bogota 110111, Colombia
3
COEXPHAL, Departamento de i+d, Av. de las Cantinas, 2, 04746 La Mojonera, Almería, Spain
4
Tecnologico Nacional de Mexico/ITS de los Reyes, Carretera Los Reyes-Jacona, Col. Libertad, Los Reyes de Salgado 60300, Mexico
5
Colegio de Postgraduados Campus Montecillos, Carretera Mexico Texcoco, Km. 36.52, Texcoco 56230, Mexico
6
Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria—Agrosavia, Sede Central, Km 14, Vía Mosquera-Bogotá, Mosquera 250040, Colombia
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Agronomy 2024, 14(12), 2791; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14122791
Submission received: 17 October 2024 / Revised: 19 November 2024 / Accepted: 22 November 2024 / Published: 25 November 2024

Abstract

This study addresses solar energy applications in protected agriculture, focusing on greenhouses and related technologies. A bibliometric and technical analysis is developed, covering research published between 1976 and 2024, to identify the main trends and challenges in the use of solar energy in controlled environments. The methodology was based on the PRISMA approach, using the Scopus database to retrieve relevant documents. From an initial total of 221 documents, 216 were selected after a filtering and debugging process, ensuring the relevance of the final set. In the analytical phase, the results showed a moderate growth of 3.68% in the annual publication rate, highlighting the impact of research on solar energy’s application to air conditioning and energy efficiency in greenhouses. Most of the studies reviewed feature hybrid systems that combine solar energy with other resources, and we highlight both advances in climate control through artificial intelligence and the implementation of photovoltaic and thermal technologies to improve the energy efficiency of agricultural systems. The results also underline the importance of tomato cultivation in the selected studies, reflecting its global economic impact. The conclusions highlight the need for the further integration of energy storage and desalination technologies, especially in arid regions with high solar irradiation, to ensure the sustainability of greenhouses. It is proposed that future research should address the wider implementation of hybrid systems and advanced climate control technologies, optimizing both the use of energy resources and the performance of crops under cover. In addition, it is recommended that international collaboration be strengthened to address technical and climatic challenges in protected agriculture and to expand the adoption of innovative solutions in different geographical contexts.
Keywords: climate control; energy efficiency; greenhouse technology; photovoltaic systems; solar energy; sustainable agriculture climate control; energy efficiency; greenhouse technology; photovoltaic systems; solar energy; sustainable agriculture

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Espitia, J.J.; Velázquez, F.A.; Rodriguez, J.; Gomez, L.; Baeza, E.; Aguilar-Rodríguez, C.E.; Flores-Velazquez, J.; Villagran, E. Solar Energy Applications in Protected Agriculture: A Technical and Bibliometric Review of Greenhouse Systems and Solar Technologies. Agronomy 2024, 14, 2791. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14122791

AMA Style

Espitia JJ, Velázquez FA, Rodriguez J, Gomez L, Baeza E, Aguilar-Rodríguez CE, Flores-Velazquez J, Villagran E. Solar Energy Applications in Protected Agriculture: A Technical and Bibliometric Review of Greenhouse Systems and Solar Technologies. Agronomy. 2024; 14(12):2791. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14122791

Chicago/Turabian Style

Espitia, John Javier, Fabián Andrés Velázquez, Jader Rodriguez, Luisa Gomez, Esteban Baeza, Cruz Ernesto Aguilar-Rodríguez, Jorge Flores-Velazquez, and Edwin Villagran. 2024. "Solar Energy Applications in Protected Agriculture: A Technical and Bibliometric Review of Greenhouse Systems and Solar Technologies" Agronomy 14, no. 12: 2791. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14122791

APA Style

Espitia, J. J., Velázquez, F. A., Rodriguez, J., Gomez, L., Baeza, E., Aguilar-Rodríguez, C. E., Flores-Velazquez, J., & Villagran, E. (2024). Solar Energy Applications in Protected Agriculture: A Technical and Bibliometric Review of Greenhouse Systems and Solar Technologies. Agronomy, 14(12), 2791. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14122791

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