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Item Achieving heterogeneous network microstructure in laser additively manufactured hybrid TiBw/TiC/Ti6Al4V(2025) Masina, Bathusile N; tshela TH; Lekoadi, Paul MLaser-directed energy deposition and in-situ alloying processes were used to manufacture hybrid in-situ TiBw/TiC/Ti6Al4V composites while varying the powder flow rate of both TiB2 and TiC. The optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveal that both in-situ TiB-whiskers and TiC particles precipitated at prior β boundaries. This led to the formation of a heterogeneous network and novel network microstructures. It was found that the heterogeneous network microstructure consisted of fine-grain zones with a network structure and coarse-grain zones with spherical structures. The effect of adding TiB2 and TiC on microstructure features and hardness was systemically investigated. It was found that the was no significant increase in the microhardness as the powder flow rate increased of both reinforcements.Item Bistatic RCS measurements of large targets in a compact range(2025) Potgieter, Monique; Odendaal, JW; Blaauw, Ciara; Joubert, JThis communication illustrates the ability to perform bista tic radar cross-section (RCS) measurements at a fixed bistatic angle in a compact range. Literature regarding bistatic RCS measurements in compact ranges is limited. The traditional setup of a compact range was adapted to perform bistatic RCS measurements. These bistatic measurements were conducted on canonical and complex realistic scale airframe models. The targets were illuminated with a plane wave created by an offset parabolic dish reflector. The bistatic scattering of the targets was measured by placing a receive antenna at a fixed bistatic angle and finite distance in the compact range. This communication also investigates the effect of the finite separation between the targets and the receiver on the bistatic scattering measurements of large complex targets. The accuracy of the bistatic RCS measurements is compared to full-wave simulations conducted with FEKO using the multilevel fast multipole method solver. Quantitative comparisons are drawn between the simulations and measurements using the feature selective validation method.Item Characterizing the spatial non-uniformity and temporal stability of QWIP and T2SL cooled infrared detector focal plane arrays(2025) Van der Westhuisen, Waldo; Chirindo, Mathews; Jideani, Josiah CFixed pattern and temporal noise in infrared Focal Plane Arrays are inherent in the technology and must be corrected to achieve optimal performance in optical gas imaging. These noise sources are intrinsic to the manufacturing process of these devices and the read-out electronics. This paper presents the characteristics of these noise sources for Type 2 Superlattice and Quantum Well Infrared Photodetectors. Experimental results visualise the raw uncorrected non-uniformity of the respective focal plane arrays along with their gain and offset correction tables. The Quantum Well Infrared Photodetector (Sulphur Hexafluoride) shows better uniformity in the uncorrected frames than the Type 2 Superlattice (Volatile Organic Compound), but both detectors show similar performance after correction. The corrected frames are evaluated and a quantity, the absolute median residual per frame, is presented to quantify the residual non-uniformity after correction. Results show that the standard 2-point NUC is effective at correcting the non-uniformity with low levels of remaining noise.Item Establishing a basis for recognising marine ‘other effective area-based conservation measures’ (OECMs) in South Africa(2025) Kirkman, SP; Kowalski, P; Holness, SD; Atkinson, LJ; Brand, R; Dunga, L; Fairweather, TP; Goldman, T; Marnewick, D; Van Niekerk, LaraThe concept of ‘other effective area-based conservation measures’ (OECMs) and its technical guidance provide opportunities for recognising a broader range of area-based management measures that contribute to biodiversity conservation outside of protected areas. However, progress towards the recognition of OECMs for the marine environment is less advanced than for terrestrial processes. In response, South Africa developed a systematic approach to establish coherence on the OECM concept in the marine, coastal and estuarine context through rapid trial assessments of 14 management measures against six simplified OECM criteria. The objectives included identifying measures with the greatest potential as OECMs, identifying information gaps and highlighting issues that are unique to the marine context, framed within the OECM definition and assessment criteria. Among the assessed measures, only two (both restricted areas for fishing) were considered unsuitable overall owing to being short-term measures, and in one case because of its single-species focus and weak contribution to broader biodiversity outcomes. Other measures varied in their suitability, with ‘biosphere reserve marine buffer zone’ and ‘closed fishing areas adjacent to African penguin colonies’ being among the existing measures that show the most potential, aligning with five and four of the six simplified criteria for OECMs, respectively. There is substantial work needed to advance marine OECMs in South Africa and to negotiate complexities brought about by the overlapping nature of jurisdictions, management measures, rights and stakeholder interests in the marine realm, and the need for equitable and effective marine governance and management. The approach and recommendations from this exercise may be useful to other countries undertaking similar efforts.Item Exploring syllable similarity across South African languages through self-supervised speech representation(2025) Louw, Johannes ASyllables are fundamental units in speech production and carry prosodic information, but their acoustic and linguistic properties across different language families are not well understood. This study examines syllable discovery approaches across South African languages using algorithmic syllabification and S5-HuBERT, a self-supervised speech representation model that demonstrates emergent syllabic organization. We analyzed speech recordings from eleven languages representing five language families in South Africa using a systematic comparison of rulebased and data-driven syllable discovery methods. We evaluated both approaches using cross-linguistic consistency measures and acoustic quality assessments across speakers. Our analysis reveals fundamental differences between the two approaches. Algorithmic syllables demonstrate strong language-family clustering with predominantly language-specific units, while S5-HuBERT units show superior cross-linguistic sharing and weaker family effects. Speaker independence analysis across four experimental phases demonstrates that data-driven methods achieve better acoustic consistency, with the fully data-driven approach reaching near-optimal speaker generalization. These results provide empirical guidance for implementing syllable-based semantic units in multilingual text-to-speech systems for resource-scarce languages.Item Influence of process parameters on the network microstructure of in-situ synthesized TiBw/Ti6Al4V composites produced by laser-directed energy deposition(2025-02) Masina, Bathusile N; Kgomo, Matshela T; Tlotleng, Monnamme; Lekoadi, Paul MLaser-directed energy deposition and the in-situ alloying processes were used to manufacture in-situ TiBw/Ti6Al4V composites while varying laser energy density and mass flow rate of TiB2, respectively. A novel network microstructure was observed in all the in-situ TiBw/Ti6Al4V composite specimens. The influence of laser energy density was investigated on the microstructure and microhardness of the in-situ TiBw/Ti6Al4V composite. It was found that the size of grains and in-situ TiB-whiskers varied as the laser energy density increased. A similar matrix morphology was found in all the in-situ TiBw/Ti6Al4V composite specimens. A significant increase was observed in the microhardness of the in-situ TiBw/Ti6Al4V composite specimens as the laser energy density and mass flow rate increased.Item A pilot study in the Waterberg district to develop a ward-level social progress index to improve measuring human development in South Africa(2025-06) Maritz, JohanFor town planners, prioritising human development, including education, health, income, and equity, is key for cultivating sustainable, thriving communities. In South Africa, persistent unemployment, poverty, and state dependency hinder development progress, making it vital to track human development levels to guide planning, investments, and targeted interventions across various levels of governance. A comprehensive index – the Social Progress Index (SPI) – has been developed that measures the well-being of a society, by observing social and environmental outcomes directly rather than the economic factors. In South Africa, the SPI is applied on provincial level, but this data set does not sufficiently capture the information required to assess quality of life at the sub-municipal level. This article reports on a pilot study conducted in the Waterberg district to assess the feasibility of developing a sub-municipal SPI in South Africa. The methodology is informed by the national SPI framework, which guided the index design and selection of outcome-based indicators/measures. Due to initial concerns about data availability, a case study approach is adopted to limit the scope and focus the data-collection process. Identifying suitable indicators and associated data items is a critical step, with data profiled for relevance, availability, and spatial disaggregation. Quantitative processing and analysis, including the use of ESRI’s ArcGIS Pro software, play a central role in assembling and evaluating the indicators. Statistical analyses are used to calculate an overall SPI score which examines interrelationships and correlations among indicators to enable their integration into the index framework. The study demonstrates that constructing a sub-municipal SPI is feasible, with the resultant index offering value through both its composite score and the detailed insights provided by its individual indicators. When spatially applied, the index can help planners identify underperforming areas requiring targeted intervention and, when periodically updated, offers potential as a monitoring and evaluation tool for sub-municipal development outcomes.Item First record of acid sulfate soils in a southern African Ramsar estuarine lake(2025-11) Adams, JB; Penaluna, J; Lakane, CP; Riddin, T; Rishworth, GM; Turner, D; Van Niekerk, Lara; Lemley, DARewetting of acid sulfate soils (ASS) that had prevailed after prolonged drought conditions between 2016 and 2021 caused acidification of the Verlorenvlei Estuarine Lake Ramsar site. ASS had not been recorded previously in South African estuarine systems. Historical aerial photographs revealed large areas of orange ASS visible in 2019 and 2020. In late 2021 the main lake basin of Verlorenvlei was highly acidic (pH < 3.5). After water levels increased in June 2023 following high winter rainfall, the pH of the water column in the main lake increased but remained acidic (pH ~ 4). Despite initial buffering of the pH (pH ~ 6.5) during high freshwater inflow and open mouth conditions in September 2023, the water column returned to an acidic state by February 2024 (pH ~ 4.7) once the mouth closed and water levels receded. Coupled to these water column observations, analyses revealed highly acidic (pH < 4) and sulfate-rich conditions in exposed soils during low water levels. Similarly, pyrite and jarosite both occurred in exposed soils in the middle reaches of the Verlorenvlei Estuarine Lake during the drying out phase characterised by extremely low water levels. These minerals are indicative of the presence of ASS that have become exposed and oxidised. The acidic conditions recorded in this study pose a threat to biodiversity and the Ramsar status of this estuarine system and is likely to impact surrounding livestock and agriculture. This study is globally relevant as climate change and freshwater abstraction pressures increase.Item Precision measurement and sustainable assessment in milling of additively manufactured TiC–Ti64-ELI composites(2025-09) Ross, NS, NS Tema; Tema, P; Masina, Bathusile N; Lekoadi, Paul M; Mashinini, PM; Ananth, MBJ , MBJ Rai; Rai, R; Nag, AThe quality of the machined surface and reduced carbon footprint are crucial factors for the operational effectiveness and lifetime of the manufactured components. Direct energy deposition (DED) can be employed to create large and complex metal parts, but low-dimensional accuracy usually requires finishing by a subtractive process. The present work deals with the sustainability assessment and machinability analysis in the machining of laser-melted titanium-based composites (TiC–Ti64-ELI) for the aviation sector. In this regard, the milling experiments were performed under distinct environmentally friendly cooling conditions. The results were analyzed in terms of environmental concerns, such as carbon emissions and specific cutting energy, as well as machining quality characteristics, including surface roughness and tool wear. The results indicate that cryogenic cooling with the carbon dioxide (Cryo-CO2) technique with laser-melted titanium composites can significantly lower carbon emissions while maintaining high-quality performance standards required in aviation applications. The desirability function was employed to obtain the best speed-feed combinations and environmental conditions for milling TiC–Ti64-ELI. The derived optimal conditions are Vc = 60 m/min, fr = 0.082 mm/rev, and Cryo-CO2 cooling. In addition, sustainable assessment was employed to study the effectiveness of environmental conditions.Item Embedded systems design of a low-cost flight controller for use in UAV platforms(2025-09) Fraser, D; Pretorius, A; Hepworth, J; Botha, NatashaServing as a critical interface between high-level software and low-level electronic systems, flight controllers are essential for aerial robotic applications. However, their significant cost poses a barrier to widespread adoption. While affordable, off-the-shelf flight controllers exist, they generally do not support the firmware required for research- and industrylevel implementation, such as PX4. This paper presents embedded system designs for low-cost flight controllers that are PX4 compliant. The research delves into examining the necessary components, existing open-source firmware/software, and appropriate hardware solutions. The presented designs are based on open standards and capable of operating with various platforms, applications, and components. The final design is shown to be low in cost while also demonstrating substantial potential for integration with existing applications. The flight controllers were verified with a range of tests, including the implementation of a control system that was responsible for governing the roll angle of a quadcopter. The overall flight controller performance is shown to be comparable with the performance and functionality of commercial solutions.Item Assessing Depth Anything V2 monocular depth estimation as a LiDAR alternative in robotics(2025-11) Louw, Jakobus M; Verster, Jacobus J; Dickens, John SThis paper evaluates the performance of Depth Anything V2, a deep learning-based monocular depth estimation model, as a low-cost alternative to LiDAR for robotic depth sensing. LiDAR, while widely used, is expensive, prompting the search for affordable solutions. Six datasets were recorded in indoor environments to assess the performance of the pretrained metric depth model. Qualitative analysis showed that overall relative depth is well estimated, but fine details and close-range depths in featuresparse areas are not represented well. Quantitative analysis revealed variability in performance across datasets, with mean errors ranging from 0.32 m to 0.66 m. Additionally, performance varies with distance. For objects within 2 m, 89.1% of errors are within ±0.5 m. This decreases to 77.0% for objects within 4 m and further drops to 70.8% for objects within 6 m. Depth Anything V2 demonstrates higher pixel resolution than LiDAR but with significantly reduced metric depth accuracy. While not suitable for high-precision applications like indoor navigation and obstacle avoidance, the model can still provide useful depth information in scenarios where finegrained accuracy is less critical.Item FASTSeg3D: A fast, efficient, and adaptive ground filtering algorithm for 3D point clouds in mobile sensing applications(2025-05) Oladele, DA; Markus, ED; Abu-Mahfouz, Adnan MIBackground: Accurate ground segmentation in 3D point clouds is critical for robotic perception, enabling robust navigation, object detection, and environmental mapping. However, existing methods struggle with over-segmentation, under-segmentation, and computational inefficiency, particularly in dynamic or complex environments. Methods: This study proposes FASTSeg3D, a novel two-stage algorithm for real-time ground filtering. First, Range Elevation Estimation (REE) organizes point clouds efficiently while filtering outliers. Second, adaptive Window-Based Model Fitting (WBMF) addresses over-segmentation by dynamically adjusting to local geometric features. The method was rigorously evaluated in four challenging scenarios: large objects (vehicles), pedestrians, small debris/vegetation, and rainy conditions across day/night cycles. Results: FASTSeg3D achieved state-of-the-art performance, with a mean error of <7%, error sensitivity < 10%, and IoU scores > 90% in all scenarios except extreme cases (rainy/night small-object conditions). It maintained a processing speed 10× faster than comparable methods, enabling real-time operation. The algorithm also outperformed benchmarks in F1 score (avg. 94.2%) and kappa coefficient (avg. 0.91), demonstrating superior robustness. Conclusions: FASTSeg3D addresses critical limitations in ground segmentation by balancing speed and accuracy, making it ideal for real-time robotic applications in diverse environments. Its computational efficiency and adaptability to edge cases represent a significant advancement for autonomous systems.Item DFT analysis of spin configurations and its impact on manganese oxide cathodes(2025-11) Kgasago, MP , M; Phoshoko, Katlego W; Ngoepe, P; Ledwaba, RThe electronic structure of lithium manganese oxide cathode materials is dependent on the choice of functional and spin configuration, necessitating a thorough analysis to accurately describe their structural and electronic properties. While these materials are appealing for lithium-ion batteries due to their high capacity, abundance, and low cost, accurately modelling their electronic properties remains challenging due to strong correlations in the manganese d orbitals. In this study, we employ firstprinciples calculations using the GGA+U functional to investigate the influence of spin configurations on the structural and electronic properties of these cathode materials. Our results shows that the antiferromagnetic (AFM) configuration gives a band gap consistent with experimental observations, whereas the ferromagnetic (FM) configuration produces a larger band gap. This shows the critical role of spin configuration in determining the electronic properties of these materials, indicating the importance of precise spin state modelling for accurate materials. These findings shows the importance of benchmarking beyond default ferromagnetic settings, including AFM configurations, to improve the accuracy of calculated properties in Mn-based cathode materials.Item Effects of process parameters and many‑objective optimisation of SiC/ TiC/16MnCr5 coating deposited through laser cladding using NSGA III(2025-05) Kyekyere, E; Onyono, SO; Olakanmi, EO; Prasad, RVS; Botes, A; Pityana, Sisa L; Skhosane, Besabakhe SDue to its several advantages, laser cladding has been used to enhance the surface properties of parts subjected to severe loading conditions. Despite its benefits, the performance and quality characteristics of the coatings produced depend highly on the complex relationship between the coating materials and the process variables. Hybrid reinforcements such as TiC and SiC in metal matrix composites can provide synergistic benefits for components used in extreme environments, like mining, by significantly enhancing wear resistance and mechanical properties. In this work, the effect and many-objective optimisation of the laser processing variables were carried out on TiC/SiC/16MnCr5 multi-track composite coating on A514 steel. By employing hybrid response surface modelling (RSM) and non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm III (NSGA III), the effect of scanning speed (S), powder feed rate (F), and laser power (P) on coating aspect ratio, dilution, microhardness, and wear resistance were investigated and optimised. The influence of the process variables on aspect ratio, dilution, microhardness, and wear volume loss are in this order, respectively: S > P > F; S > F > P; P > F > S; and P > S > F. The interaction of the process parameters was significant. The wear resistance and microhardness were enhanced due to the partial dissolution of carbides in the matrix. Based on the NSGA III optimisation, the optimal process parameters identified were P = 1550 W, S = 500 mm/min, and F = 7 g/min. The validation experiment revealed a close agreement with the predicted results, with errors of less than 5% for all the objectives. The optimised coating’s microstructure consisted predominantly of columnar crystals with minor regions of equiaxed dendrites. Compared to the substrate, the optimised coating’s microhardness improved by 350%, while its compressive strength was enhanced by 41%.Item Microstructure evolution and properties development of in situ processed Ni–Ti alloys by laser directed energy deposition(2025-09) Abdelwahed, M; Skhosane, Besabakhe S; Ishola, M; Casati, R; Vedani, M; Pityana, Sisa L; Taha, MAThis investigation proposes a flexible technique for in situ fabrication of Ni–Ti structures using laser directed energy deposition, in which nickel and titanium powders are separately fed and melted together during laser processing. The proposed mechanism enables controlled flows of powders facilitating a fine-tuning of the desired chemical composition, when compared to the conventional use of pre-mixed feedstocks, in an endeavor toward the laser processing of pseudoelastic Ni–Ti alloys. The results highlighted the possibility of fabricating a wide range of tailored Ni–Ti compositions and microstructures, depending on the powder flow ratios. The developed alloys were classified as either Ni-rich or Ti–rich compositions, in which the Ni-rich alloys were composed of different fractions of B2-NiTi austenite, NiTi/Ni3Ti eutectics, and Ni3Ti intermetallic with a minor presence of NiTi2/Ni2Ti4Ox. While the Ti–rich compositions were mainly dominated by NiTi austenite with a fraction of NiTi2/Ni2Ti4Ox dendrites. Under identical laser processing parameters, the findings showed that the in situ alloyed Ni47.6Ti52.4 composition exhibited a comparable microstructure and pseudoelastic behavior similar to that obtained from a laser processed pre-alloyed powder. The output of the investigation highlights the potential use of the in situ alloying mechanism as a cost-effective and flexible approach for fabricating Ni–Ti alloys with desired compositions and properties.Item Adapting SegMap: A LiDAR place recognition framework for standalone use in C++ applications(2025-09) Maweni, Thabisa; Amayo, PAutonomous mobile robots rely on accurate environmental mapping and continuous self-localisation for effective navigation, often achieved through complex algorithms that combine data from multiple sensors. Aru-SegMap is an adaptation of SegMap, a widely used 3D point cloud segment-based map representation, for modern ROS2-based and standalone C++ applications focused on localisation. SegMatch, a 3D point cloud segmentation and matching library integral to SegMap, reliably estimates a robot's position and detects loop closures. This adaptation involved modularising the original library, decoupling it from a deprecated TensorFlow C++ API and ROS1, and integrating visualisation capabilities, enabling greater flexibility and usability for continued robotics research and development. Aru_SegMap was validated using datasets of varied agricultural environments. It is functional, produces consistent segments, and provides reliable localisation.Item Formation following: Multi-sensor object detection and localization using ROS2 and Gazebo(2025-09) Van Eden, Beatrice; Maweni, Thabisa; Setati, Cecil T; Naidoo, Thegaran , Thegaran Dickens; Dickens, John SFormation control is essential in multi-robot systems, enabling efficient navigation, coordination, and task execution in dynamic environments. This work presents a vision-based approach for formation following using three robots. Each robot is identified by a unique colour and recognised using YOLOv8. The recognition output is combined with LiDAR distance measurements to facilitate waypoint navigation and formation maintenance. A set of hardcoded rules ensures proper formation control. The proposed method is tested in a structured environment, demonstrating effective multi-robot coordination.Item Investigating how spatter evolves in metal additive manufacturing processes with machine learning(2025-11) Nkomo, Brighton VIn metal additive manufacturing, laser-powder-bed fusion (LPBF) suffers from layer-to-layer instabilities; most notably molten-metal spatter and recoater streaking - that degrade surface finish and internal integrity. We investigate whether physics-informed machine-learning (PIML) can detect and predict these anomalies more efficiently than purely data-driven models. Using the Oakridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Peregrine in-situ dataset, we (i) derive physically meaningful features such as volumetric energy density, Peclet number and plume-attenuation proxies, and (ii) embed gradient penalties that enforce monotonic behaviour with respect to energy input. A lightweight PIML network attains an Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of ≈ 3.9 × 10⁴ spatter pixels (R² = 0.94) while requiring 40 % less training data than an architecture-matched multilayer perceptron. SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis shows that the model’s attributions follow established heat-transfer mechanisms, confirming improved interpretability. These results demonstrate that even minimal physics supervision delivers data-efficient, trustworthy defect monitoring, at least in the case of neural networks tested in this work, paving the way for real-time, closed-loop LPBF control.Item Safety and efficacy of plant-produced trivalent virus-like particle vaccine candidate against bluetongue disease(2025-08) Mlingo, TAM; O'Kennedy, Martha M; Matsiela, M; Nkomo, N; Coetzee, P; Rametse, T; Mutowembwa, P; Heath, L; Mokoena, NBluetongue (BT) is a non-contagious, insect-transmitted disease of wild and domestic ruminants caused by bluetongue virus (BTV). Effective control of BT disease relies on vaccination against prevalent or seasonal serotypes using live attenuated or inactivated vaccines. Limitations of these vaccines offer opportunities for improvement. Transient protein production in plants has evolved as a platform that offers a unique ability to express multiple antigens and complex protein assemblies. In this study, a trivalent virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine candidate against BT was produced in Nicotiana benthamiana. Chimeric VLPs comprised of outer capsid proteins (VP2/VP5) from BTV3 and BTV4 were designed with BTV8 inner core proteins (VP3/VP7). The proteins were successfully expressed, and assembly of chimeric and homologous BTV8 VLPs was achieved. Antigens were formulated with stabilised nano alum-based adjuvant, and safety and efficacy were evaluated in merino sheep. Two groups of animals were vaccinated with a plant-produced or live attenuated vaccine, formulated with similar BTV serotypes. The third group of animals received a placebo. Both vaccines were safe and did not induce temperature reactions or BTV clinical signs in sheep. Vaccines further protected animals against challenge with serotypes 3, 4 and 8. Animals that received a placebo vaccination demonstrated typical BTV clinical signs following challenge with virulent viruses. The results demonstrated that the plant-made chimeric VLP vaccine candidate was safe and efficacious in sheep, and can be used for prophylactic immunisation against BT disease. This is a first report demonstrating the safety and efficacy of a plant-produced trivalent VLP candidate vaccine in target animals.Item The impact of fixed-Tilt PV arrays on vegetation growth through ground sunlight distribution at a solar farm in Aotearoa New Zealand(2025-10) Dhlamini, Matlotlo M; Brent, ACThe land demands of ground-mounted PV systems raise concerns about competition with agriculture, particularly in regions with limited productive farmland. Agrivoltaics, which integrates solar energy generation with agricultural use, offers a potential solution. While agrivoltaics has been extensively studied, less is known about its feasibility and impacts in complex temperate maritime climates such as Aotearoa New Zealand, in particular, the effects of PV-induced shading on ground-level light availability and vegetation. This study modelled the spatial and seasonal distribution of ground-level irradiation and Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD) beneath fixed-tilt PV arrays at the Tauhei solar farm in the Waikato region. It quantifies and maps PPFD to evaluate light conditions and its implications for vegetation growth. The results reveal significant spatial and temporal variation over a year. The under-panel ground irradiance is lower than open-field GHI by 18% (summer), 22% (spring), 16% (autumn), and 3% (winter), and this seasonal reduction translates into PPFD gradients. This variation supports a precision agrivoltaic strategy that zones land based on irradiance levels. By aligning crop types and planting schedules with seasonal light profiles, land productivity and ecological value can be improved. These findings are highly applicable in Aotearoa New Zealand’s pasture-based systems and show that effective light management is critical for agrivoltaic success in temperate maritime climates. This is, to our knowledge, the first spatial PPFD zoning analysis for fixed-tilt agrivoltaics, linking year-round ground-light maps to crop/pasture suitability.