Solar-Aquaculture: Multi-layer production system for future

Background and Objective

The interdisciplinary project is coordinated by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems and aims at multiple use of aquaculture facilities. To this end, aquaculture facilities in southern Vietnam will be roofed and equipped with photovoltaic elements. This will also allow for adaptations to climate change by shading a            quaculutre ponds and reducing water consumption.

Target Group

Aquaculture farmers (from large- to medium- and small-sized enterprises) in the Mekong region, Vietnam and other countries

Approach

In addition to the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, other project partners are the Thuenen Institute for Fisheries Ecology, the Viet Uc Seafood Group, the Nong Lam University in Ho Chi Minh City, the German Corporation for International Cooperation GmbH as well as other institutes and companies from the energy and photovoltaics sector.

The work in the field of aquaculture is carried out by the scientists of the Thünen Institute in close cooperation with the Viet Uc Seafood Group and the Faculty of Fisheries at Nong Lam University. The aim of the aquaculture subproject is to evaluate how the roofing of aquaculture ponds affects shrimps and pangasius, to define maximum levels of shading and to develop husbandry and feeding regimes adapted to specific conditions.

Our Research Questions

• What are the shading effects of photovoltaic panels on production processes of pangasius and shrimp aquaculture systems, specifically:
  • How does shading effect the feeding behaviour of shrimp and pangasius?
  • How does the water quality vary under different shading conditions?
• How do Biofloc-PV systems perform compared to standard Biofloc and conventional systems with regard to material and nutrient flow?
• How can the Aqua PV systems be transferred to small- and medium sized enterprises?