Feasibility of Solar Energy for Lighting Vertical Farms in China: Techno‐Economic and Environmental Views

Bateer Baiyin; Xinyan Wang; Yue Xiang; Yang Shao; Jung Eek Son; Kotaro Tagawa; Qichang Yang

doi:10.1002/moda.70035

journal article Open Access Mar 02, 2026

Feasibility of Solar Energy for Lighting Vertical Farms in China: Techno‐Economic and Environmental Views

Bateer Baiyin

Kotaro Tagawa Qichang Yang

Modern Agriculture Vol. 4 No. 1 · Wiley

View at Publisher Save 10.1002/moda.70035

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Plant factories are an innovative agricultural model that leverage controlled environments and advanced regulation technologies to improve land‐use efficiency and reduce resource dependence. However, their development is constrained by high energy consumption. Given the high costs and environmental impacts associated with fossil‐fuel‐based electricity, renewable energy sources such as solar power have emerged as promising alternatives. In this study, a model vertical plant factory consisting of 20 stories (area = 100 m
2
) was applied to 21 Chinese cities with populations exceeding 5 million. Three power supply modes were considered: a grid‐powered system, a standalone solar‐powered system, and a grid‐solar hybrid system. The net present cost (NPC), levelized cost of energy (COE), and carbon dioxide emissions were assessed for each mode. Among the three systems, the hybrid system substantially reduced economic costs (40.87%–65.68% lower NPC than the grid‐powered system), whereas the standalone solar‐powered system most effectively reduced carbon dioxide emissions (85.99%–97.93% lower than the grid‐powered system). By comprehensively analysing solar resources, system design, economic indicators, and emission reduction benefits, this study provides scientific evidence to support decision‐making and implementation of vertical agriculture farming projects, promoting the coordinated advancement of agriculture and environmental protection.

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Published: Mar 02, 2026
Vol/Issue: 4(1)
License: View

Authors

B

Bateer Baiyin

Research Center for Smart Horticulture Engineering, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu National Agricultural Science and Technology Center Institute of Urban Agriculture Chengdu China

X

Xinyan Wang

Department of Energy and Environmental Technology Zhong Nong Ke Ce Technology Corporation Limited Chengdu China

Y

Yue Xiang

Research Center for Smart Horticulture Engineering, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu National Agricultural Science and Technology Center Institute of Urban Agriculture Chengdu China

Y

Yang Shao

Yazhouwan National Laboratory Sanya Hainan China

J

Jung Eek Son

Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Bioresources Seoul National University Seoul Republic of Korea

K

Kotaro Tagawa

Faculty of Agriculture Tottori University Tottori Japan

Q

Qichang Yang

Research Center for Smart Horticulture Engineering, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu National Agricultural Science and Technology Center Institute of Urban Agriculture Chengdu China

Cite This Article

Bateer Baiyin, Xinyan Wang, Yue Xiang, et al. (2026). Feasibility of Solar Energy for Lighting Vertical Farms in China: Techno‐Economic and Environmental Views. Modern Agriculture, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/moda.70035

Feasibility of Solar Energy for Lighting Vertical Farms in China: Techno‐Economic and Environmental Views

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