The study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of photovoltaic energy in operating a laboratory and aquaponic systems managed under different conditions. For the phytotechnical performance analysis, curly lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. crispa) was used, while for zootechnical studies, lambari (Astyanax lacustris) with an average weight of 1.38g and 7g, respectively, was utilized. The experiment was conducted in 12 experimental units containing treatments defined as permanently coupled (PC) and on-demand coupled (ODC), both with and without heating.
The ShinePhone app (version 7.1.0) was used to monitor data on electricity generation, and at the end of the study, the amount of energy generated by the solar panels was compared to the energy consumed by electronic devices used in the aquaponics greenhouse and the Laboratory of Nutrition of Aquatic Organisms (LANOA). The results were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s test (P<0.05).
A viral outbreak in the system led to total fish mortality three consecutive times. Consequently, this study presents only the phytotechnical and economic analyses of the experiment. The results revealed that in the ODC system, lettuce exhibited better development and higher averages for total weight, leaf length, leaf wet weight, root wet weight, and root dry weight, regardless of the presence of heaters.
In the photovoltaic energy generation analysis, the results indicated that all the energy required to maintain the aquaponics greenhouse during the 21 experimental days was supplied with only one day’s generation from the solar panels. The total electricity consumption of the laboratory was supplied by approximately 50% from photovoltaic energy generation, demonstrating it to be an efficient and environmentally sustainable energy source.