An automated foldable organic photovoltaic system for greenhouses supporting crop productivity and achieving energy self-sufficiency

Smart greenhouses with automated environmental control systems demand substantial electricity, often resulting in higher carbon emissions than open-field cultivation. Photovoltaic (PV) integration is a strategy to offset this demand; however, conventional PV greenhouse designs typically reduce light intensity or alter spectral quality, negatively affecting crop productivity. Here, we report an automated foldable organic PV (OPV) system designed to function as a dynamic alternative to conventional shade nets. The system effectively reduces internal temperatures while transmitting more solar irradiance than shade nets, thereby improving the greenhouse microclimate. By shortening OPV deployment duration from 24 to 6 h, the system preserves crop yields while balancing on-site renewable energy generation and greenhouse electricity consumption during melon cultivation. This approach not only reduces operational carbon footprints but also enables near-energy-neutral operation. Integrating foldable OPVs into greenhouses, therefore, offers a practical and scalable pathway to harmonizing renewable energy production with sustained agricultural productivity.