Optimizing agrivoltaic systems for sustainable energy production and plant growth in extraterrestrial environments

The integration of agrivoltaics (AgPV) with extraterrestrial habitats presents a promising approach for sustainable life support systems. As part of the Analog Astronaut All-Purdue Crew 289 at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), we investigated the feasibility of AgPV as a self-sustaining system for plant growth under extraterrestrial conditions. A greenhouse mini-farm was established to analyze the effects of varying shading conditions—total, partial, and no shade—on kale microgreens and C4 Bermuda grass growth. Solar irradiance data were collected to correlate plant development with available light levels. Additionally, airflow simulations using MATLAB's FEATool app provided insights into microclimate control, comparing mini-farm airflow dynamics to those of a full-scale AgPV system. These findings contribute to the broader understanding of optimizing AgPV for extraterrestrial applications, balancing energy generation with agricultural productivity.