From pv magazine France

Base Innovation has developed an agricultural dryer powered by PVT solar panels.

The Cogen’Air panels are photovoltaic modules with an integrated heat recovery system. The module uses a heat exchanger that recovers the heat released at the back of the panels for thermal uses such as heating or drying. This heat extraction also increases electrical efficiency by preventing overheating of the PV system. According to the company, the gain in terms of peak power can reach up to 10%.

The company has developed an intelligent regulation system that acts on the speed of the fans depending on the humidity level of the heated air. This improves drying while limiting system consumption. The solution also makes it possible to remotely monitor the dryer’s operation and optimize its production.

Supported by the French energy agency Ademe, the system has been patented since 2013 and has mobilized more than €500,000 ($551,000) in R&D over the past 10 years.

Base Innovation currently offers its solution to design or renovate agricultural dryers for bulk drying, bale drying, flat drying or container drying. In practice, the panels are integrated into a ventilation infrastructure with a management system that optimizes the operation of the dryer.

“We have done tests in other sectors of activity,” Benoît Michenot, a company representative, explains to pv magazine. “Our solution is interesting for reducing the mass of water and thus reducing the treatment cost per ton, but the seasonal constraints inherent in solar energy and low-temperature drying technology have limited the opportunities in this industry, until now.”

Michenot says solar dryers offer low-temperature drying that impacts the value of the final product.

“Grass can have the same nutritional value as grain for animal feed, as long as it is dried under the right conditions,” he said. “This also leaves room for the development of micro food chains.”

The company already has 60 solar dryers in operation in France.