NATURAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES Figure 1: Daylighting assessment of a heritage building using CBDM that plants utilise about two-thirds of The evolution in lighting technology illuminance data in weather files to the daily solar radiation in a system has meant that the old-fashioned do this. Analysis using the Climate- and that yield from crops grown light bulbs and fluorescent tubes Based Daylight Model (CBDM) made underneath the photovoltaic modules of the past have been replaced by it possible to assess the impact of increases. If agrovoltaic systems are innovations such as Light Emitting daylighting on energy-use intensity introduced, land efficiency can be Diodes (LEDs) and incandescent and thermal behaviour in the increased by up to 186%. In addition, and magnetic ballast fluorescent building. The study showed that using workers from local communities fittings. These have reduced the automated on/off sensors would can become involved in agricultural amount of electricity needed to reduce annual lighting energy savings production, and communities benefit provide light in buildings. In spite of by 52% while continuous dimming from job creation. If drip irrigation these developments, daylight is still would result in energy savings of 64%. and agroponic systems are also the only free, zero-energy and zero- The study also showed that lighting introduced, water is conserved carbon light source. In addition to energy costs would be reduced by 50% and a further step is taken towards these benefits, studies have shown by using on/off sensors and by 62% by sustainability. Regenerative farming that daylighting improves well- using continuous dimming sensors. methods using minimum fertiliser being, health, and productivity in the Importantly, CO2 emissions due to can then result in the increased workplace. annual lighting energy consumption retention of water in the soil. When Researchers at the UFH Institute of in this building were mitigated by agrovoltaic systems are established in Technology are exploring the use 52% and 64% using automated on/ urban areas in the form of inner-city of daylighting in residential and off and continuous dimming sensors, gardening, the temperatures in ‘heat commercial buildings in the context respectively. These examples of some islands’ are reduced. All this means of the need to conserve energy. One of the studies conducted by the UFH that the promise of renewable energy study has involved research on the Institute of Technology show how and an increase in the availability daylight performance of Livingstone UFH researchers are contributing of food resulting from agrovoltaic Hall on the Alice campus. to sustainable futures in meaningful projects underlines the importance of ways. the research being done in the UFH The study drew on sky conditions and Institute of Technology. models based on solar irradiance and Research Report 2021/2022 | 12