Agrivoltaic Systems: Effect of Spacing Between Photovoltaic Panels on Yield and Water Productivity of Onions (Allium Cepa L. var. Galmi Purple) in Senegal

Ayaovi Cyrille Djobo; Lamine Diop; Baboucar Sane

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijaas.20261205.13

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Agrivoltaic Systems: Effect of Spacing Between Photovoltaic Panels on Yield and Water Productivity of Onions (Allium Cepa L. var. Galmi Purple) in Senegal

Ayaovi Cyrille Djobo^*, Lamine Diop

, Baboucar Sane

Published in International Journal of Applied Agricultural Sciences (Volume 12, Issue 5)

Received: 1 September 2026 Accepted: 14 September 2026 Published: 27 September 2026

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Abstract

The integration of agrivoltaic systems into agricultural production has proven to be a way to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, improve the productivity of farmland, and reduce water consumption. In the Niayes region of Senegal, onions remain one of the most widely cultivated crops, but agricultural production in this region relies heavily on fossil fuels. This study, conducted in the village of Kalassane in the northern part of the Niayes region, evaluated the effect of agrivoltaic systems on the agronomic performance of onions. A completely randomized block design was used to test four agrivoltaic configurations: control plots without panels (CT), closely spaced panels (T1), and panels spaced 1.5 and 3 meters apart (T2 and T3, respectively). Analysis of variance revealed no statistically significant differences between treatments (p > 0.05) for any of the variables studied, namely the number of leaves, leaf length, leaf diameter, plant height, bulb diameter, bulb height, bulb weight, yield, and water use efficiency. Nevertheless, numerical variations were observed among the treatments: treatment T3 had the highest values for leaf length (54.37 cm), leaf diameter (1.33 cm), and plant height (61.17 cm) starting at 60 days after planting (DAT), and the lowest values for bulb weight (71.53 g), yield (32.77 t/ha), and water use efficiency (4.2 kg/m³). Conversely, treatment T2 recorded the numerically highest yield (36.37 t/ha) and water use efficiency (4.63 kg/m³), while the control (CT) recorded the highest bulb weight (83.6 g). The absence of a statistically significant reduction in onion agronomic performance under the various configurations tested suggests that agrivoltaic systems can be integrated into onion production in the Niayes region without compromising it, while offering the potential to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Published in	International Journal of Applied Agricultural Sciences (Volume 12, Issue 5)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijaas.20261205.13
Page(s)	193-206
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Agrivoltaics, Yield, Water Productivity, Onion, Niayes, Senegal

References

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Djobo, A. C., Diop, L., Sane, B. (2026). Agrivoltaic Systems: Effect of Spacing Between Photovoltaic Panels on Yield and Water Productivity of Onions (Allium Cepa L. var. Galmi Purple) in Senegal. International Journal of Applied Agricultural Sciences, 12(5), 193-206. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijaas.20261205.13

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Djobo, A. C.; Diop, L.; Sane, B. Agrivoltaic Systems: Effect of Spacing Between Photovoltaic Panels on Yield and Water Productivity of Onions (Allium Cepa L. var. Galmi Purple) in Senegal. Int. J. Appl. Agric. Sci. 2026, 12(5), 193-206. doi: 10.11648/j.ijaas.20261205.13

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Djobo AC, Diop L, Sane B. Agrivoltaic Systems: Effect of Spacing Between Photovoltaic Panels on Yield and Water Productivity of Onions (Allium Cepa L. var. Galmi Purple) in Senegal. Int J Appl Agric Sci. 2026;12(5):193-206. doi: 10.11648/j.ijaas.20261205.13

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@article{10.11648/j.ijaas.20261205.13,
  author = {Ayaovi Cyrille Djobo and Lamine Diop and Baboucar Sane},
  title = {Agrivoltaic Systems: Effect of Spacing Between Photovoltaic Panels on Yield and Water Productivity of Onions (Allium Cepa L. var. Galmi Purple) in Senegal},
  journal = {International Journal of Applied Agricultural Sciences},
  volume = {12},
  number = {5},
  pages = {193-206},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijaas.20261205.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijaas.20261205.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijaas.20261205.13},
  abstract = {The integration of agrivoltaic systems into agricultural production has proven to be a way to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, improve the productivity of farmland, and reduce water consumption. In the Niayes region of Senegal, onions remain one of the most widely cultivated crops, but agricultural production in this region relies heavily on fossil fuels. This study, conducted in the village of Kalassane in the northern part of the Niayes region, evaluated the effect of agrivoltaic systems on the agronomic performance of onions. A completely randomized block design was used to test four agrivoltaic configurations: control plots without panels (CT), closely spaced panels (T1), and panels spaced 1.5 and 3 meters apart (T2 and T3, respectively). Analysis of variance revealed no statistically significant differences between treatments (p > 0.05) for any of the variables studied, namely the number of leaves, leaf length, leaf diameter, plant height, bulb diameter, bulb height, bulb weight, yield, and water use efficiency. Nevertheless, numerical variations were observed among the treatments: treatment T3 had the highest values for leaf length (54.37 cm), leaf diameter (1.33 cm), and plant height (61.17 cm) starting at 60 days after planting (DAT), and the lowest values for bulb weight (71.53 g), yield (32.77 t/ha), and water use efficiency (4.2 kg/m3). Conversely, treatment T2 recorded the numerically highest yield (36.37 t/ha) and water use efficiency (4.63 kg/m3), while the control (CT) recorded the highest bulb weight (83.6 g). The absence of a statistically significant reduction in onion agronomic performance under the various configurations tested suggests that agrivoltaic systems can be integrated into onion production in the Niayes region without compromising it, while offering the potential to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Agrivoltaic Systems: Effect of Spacing Between Photovoltaic Panels on Yield and Water Productivity of Onions (Allium Cepa L. var. Galmi Purple) in Senegal
AU  - Ayaovi Cyrille Djobo
AU  - Lamine Diop
AU  - Baboucar Sane
Y1  - 2026/09/27
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijaas.20261205.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijaas.20261205.13
T2  - International Journal of Applied Agricultural Sciences
JF  - International Journal of Applied Agricultural Sciences
JO  - International Journal of Applied Agricultural Sciences
SP  - 193
EP  - 206
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2469-7885
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijaas.20261205.13
AB  - The integration of agrivoltaic systems into agricultural production has proven to be a way to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, improve the productivity of farmland, and reduce water consumption. In the Niayes region of Senegal, onions remain one of the most widely cultivated crops, but agricultural production in this region relies heavily on fossil fuels. This study, conducted in the village of Kalassane in the northern part of the Niayes region, evaluated the effect of agrivoltaic systems on the agronomic performance of onions. A completely randomized block design was used to test four agrivoltaic configurations: control plots without panels (CT), closely spaced panels (T1), and panels spaced 1.5 and 3 meters apart (T2 and T3, respectively). Analysis of variance revealed no statistically significant differences between treatments (p > 0.05) for any of the variables studied, namely the number of leaves, leaf length, leaf diameter, plant height, bulb diameter, bulb height, bulb weight, yield, and water use efficiency. Nevertheless, numerical variations were observed among the treatments: treatment T3 had the highest values for leaf length (54.37 cm), leaf diameter (1.33 cm), and plant height (61.17 cm) starting at 60 days after planting (DAT), and the lowest values for bulb weight (71.53 g), yield (32.77 t/ha), and water use efficiency (4.2 kg/m3). Conversely, treatment T2 recorded the numerically highest yield (36.37 t/ha) and water use efficiency (4.63 kg/m3), while the control (CT) recorded the highest bulb weight (83.6 g). The absence of a statistically significant reduction in onion agronomic performance under the various configurations tested suggests that agrivoltaic systems can be integrated into onion production in the Niayes region without compromising it, while offering the potential to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
VL  - 12
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Ayaovi Cyrille Djobo

Crop Production and Agronomy, Gaston Berger University, Saint-Louis, Senegal

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Lamine Diop

Crop Production and Agronomy, Gaston Berger University, Saint-Louis, Senegal

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1341-219X
Baboucar Sane

Aquaculture, Gaston Berger University, Saint-Louis, Senegal

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Djobo, A. C., Diop, L., Sane, B. (2026). Agrivoltaic Systems: Effect of Spacing Between Photovoltaic Panels on Yield and Water Productivity of Onions (Allium Cepa L. var. Galmi Purple) in Senegal. International Journal of Applied Agricultural Sciences, 12(5), 193-206. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijaas.20261205.13

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Djobo, A. C.; Diop, L.; Sane, B. Agrivoltaic Systems: Effect of Spacing Between Photovoltaic Panels on Yield and Water Productivity of Onions (Allium Cepa L. var. Galmi Purple) in Senegal. Int. J. Appl. Agric. Sci. 2026, 12(5), 193-206. doi: 10.11648/j.ijaas.20261205.13

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Djobo AC, Diop L, Sane B. Agrivoltaic Systems: Effect of Spacing Between Photovoltaic Panels on Yield and Water Productivity of Onions (Allium Cepa L. var. Galmi Purple) in Senegal. Int J Appl Agric Sci. 2026;12(5):193-206. doi: 10.11648/j.ijaas.20261205.13

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@article{10.11648/j.ijaas.20261205.13,
  author = {Ayaovi Cyrille Djobo and Lamine Diop and Baboucar Sane},
  title = {Agrivoltaic Systems: Effect of Spacing Between Photovoltaic Panels on Yield and Water Productivity of Onions (Allium Cepa L. var. Galmi Purple) in Senegal},
  journal = {International Journal of Applied Agricultural Sciences},
  volume = {12},
  number = {5},
  pages = {193-206},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijaas.20261205.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijaas.20261205.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijaas.20261205.13},
  abstract = {The integration of agrivoltaic systems into agricultural production has proven to be a way to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, improve the productivity of farmland, and reduce water consumption. In the Niayes region of Senegal, onions remain one of the most widely cultivated crops, but agricultural production in this region relies heavily on fossil fuels. This study, conducted in the village of Kalassane in the northern part of the Niayes region, evaluated the effect of agrivoltaic systems on the agronomic performance of onions. A completely randomized block design was used to test four agrivoltaic configurations: control plots without panels (CT), closely spaced panels (T1), and panels spaced 1.5 and 3 meters apart (T2 and T3, respectively). Analysis of variance revealed no statistically significant differences between treatments (p > 0.05) for any of the variables studied, namely the number of leaves, leaf length, leaf diameter, plant height, bulb diameter, bulb height, bulb weight, yield, and water use efficiency. Nevertheless, numerical variations were observed among the treatments: treatment T3 had the highest values for leaf length (54.37 cm), leaf diameter (1.33 cm), and plant height (61.17 cm) starting at 60 days after planting (DAT), and the lowest values for bulb weight (71.53 g), yield (32.77 t/ha), and water use efficiency (4.2 kg/m3). Conversely, treatment T2 recorded the numerically highest yield (36.37 t/ha) and water use efficiency (4.63 kg/m3), while the control (CT) recorded the highest bulb weight (83.6 g). The absence of a statistically significant reduction in onion agronomic performance under the various configurations tested suggests that agrivoltaic systems can be integrated into onion production in the Niayes region without compromising it, while offering the potential to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Agrivoltaic Systems: Effect of Spacing Between Photovoltaic Panels on Yield and Water Productivity of Onions (Allium Cepa L. var. Galmi Purple) in Senegal
AU  - Ayaovi Cyrille Djobo
AU  - Lamine Diop
AU  - Baboucar Sane
Y1  - 2026/09/27
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijaas.20261205.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijaas.20261205.13
T2  - International Journal of Applied Agricultural Sciences
JF  - International Journal of Applied Agricultural Sciences
JO  - International Journal of Applied Agricultural Sciences
SP  - 193
EP  - 206
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2469-7885
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijaas.20261205.13
AB  - The integration of agrivoltaic systems into agricultural production has proven to be a way to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, improve the productivity of farmland, and reduce water consumption. In the Niayes region of Senegal, onions remain one of the most widely cultivated crops, but agricultural production in this region relies heavily on fossil fuels. This study, conducted in the village of Kalassane in the northern part of the Niayes region, evaluated the effect of agrivoltaic systems on the agronomic performance of onions. A completely randomized block design was used to test four agrivoltaic configurations: control plots without panels (CT), closely spaced panels (T1), and panels spaced 1.5 and 3 meters apart (T2 and T3, respectively). Analysis of variance revealed no statistically significant differences between treatments (p > 0.05) for any of the variables studied, namely the number of leaves, leaf length, leaf diameter, plant height, bulb diameter, bulb height, bulb weight, yield, and water use efficiency. Nevertheless, numerical variations were observed among the treatments: treatment T3 had the highest values for leaf length (54.37 cm), leaf diameter (1.33 cm), and plant height (61.17 cm) starting at 60 days after planting (DAT), and the lowest values for bulb weight (71.53 g), yield (32.77 t/ha), and water use efficiency (4.2 kg/m3). Conversely, treatment T2 recorded the numerically highest yield (36.37 t/ha) and water use efficiency (4.63 kg/m3), while the control (CT) recorded the highest bulb weight (83.6 g). The absence of a statistically significant reduction in onion agronomic performance under the various configurations tested suggests that agrivoltaic systems can be integrated into onion production in the Niayes region without compromising it, while offering the potential to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
VL  - 12
IS  - 5
ER  -

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