Agrivoltaics or agrophotovoltaics combines agriculture and solar energy production on the same piece of land. It involves installing solar panels above agricultural land to allow crops to grow underneath. This dual-use approach enables farmers to generate electricity while continuing to cultivate food.1
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Agrivoltaic systems are typically mounted on elevated structures, providing enough space beneath for crop growth and the movement of farm machinery. The height and spacing of the panels are carefully planned based on the type of crops and the overall farm layout.
Some advanced designs use semi-transparent panels that allow sunlight to pass through or adjustable panels that tweak the panel angles with the sun’s movement. These designs help maximize energy production and the availability of light for crops. In specific systems, sensors are installed to monitor temperature, sunlight, and soil moisture to maintain optimal conditions for plant growth.1,2
The Benefits and Challenges of Agrivoltaics
Agrivoltaics presents a viable approach to using land more efficiently and reducing competition between agriculture and energy production, particularly in regions facing rising demand for food and clean energy. However, it also presents several challenges, including technical issues, high initial costs, and unclear government rules or policies.
The performance and usefulness of agrivoltaic systems can vary depending on local climate, crop type, and the system design. Therefore, it is essential to carefully examine agrivoltaics' benefits and limitations in a specific region.
Benefits of Agrivoltaics
Agrivoltaics offers multiple benefits across the renewable energy and agriculture sectors. It enhances land-use efficiency, which is particularly important in densely populated regions. The partial shading provided by solar panels protects the crops from extreme heat stress, potentially enhancing their nutritional value and shelf life. Protection from heat also lowers soil temperatures, reduces evaporation, and improves moisture retention, supporting better water-use efficiency.
Solar power income can supplement farm earnings, providing financial stability in the face of crop variability or market fluctuations.
On a broader scale, it supports decarbonization goals by expanding solar capacity without compromising fertile agricultural land. It can also contribute to rural electrification in off-grid areas.
A recent report published in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews investigated agrivoltaic systems and found that the partial shading from panels created a microclimate that improved plant growth and conserved water. This led to higher crop yields and reduced water usage, highlighting its suitability for semi-arid regions.3
In Germany, a recent survey by the University of Göttingen and Fraunhofer ISE found that over 72% of farmers were open to adopting agrivoltaics. The primary motivations included additional income from electricity generation and the opportunity to modernize farming practices. Farmers also viewed agrivoltaics as a way to support the long-term development and modernization of their farms. Overall, the study highlights agrivoltaics as a promising solution for enhancing economic resilience and sustainable agricultural land use.4
Another review in Sustainable Production and Consumption highlighted that agrivoltaic systems could enhance water-use efficiency by up to 300% and increase land-use efficiency by up to 200% compared to traditional methods. These systems also demonstrated the potential to improve profitability and ensure consistent crop production, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions.2
In India, a 2024 assessment estimated a potential capacity of 3200 GWp for agrivoltaics, particularly in states like Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. This study emphasized the role of technology in mitigating land-use conflicts and increasing crop resilience against climate extremes.5
The Challenges of Agrivoltaics
Agrivoltaic systems face several practical challenges. One of the major concerns is the high initial investment cost, which makes it challenging for small- and medium-scale farmers to adopt. Designing an efficient agrivoltaics layout is also complex, as it requires balancing optimal solar panel placement with minimal disruption to crop growth. Managing agricultural activities and solar infrastructure also increases operational complexity and maintenance requirements.1,2
Farmer acceptance presents another hurdle due to concerns about reduced crop yields, unfamiliar technology, or uncertain financial returns. The regulatory environment adds further complications. For example, land-use policies, zoning laws, and subsidy structures are often unclear or inconsistent, making implementation difficult. Moreover, agrivoltaics is not suitable for all crop types. Some plants respond poorly to partial shading, limiting the choice of crops that can be grown under solar panels.1
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A report published in Sustainability highlighted that the high initial costs of installing agrivoltaics are one of the biggest obstacles. These systems can cost 5–40% more than traditional solar installations due to the need for special structures, design modifications, and dual-use planning. This poses particular challenges for small-scale farmers, who may not have the financial resources to invest in such systems, even if the long-term benefits are promising.1
Similarly, a study in Agricultural and Forest Meteorology explored the technical design challenges of agrivoltaics. It found that if solar panels are not placed correctly, they can block excessive sunlight, limiting the light available for healthy crop growth. This highlights the need for careful planning to balance energy generation with healthy crop yields.6
Operational challenges in agrivoltaics systems were discussed in a 2025 report in India, which explained that agrivoltaics systems are complex because they must support both farming and energy production. This requires regular monitoring, as issues in one part can affect the other. For example, excessive shade can lead to crop stress, and agricultural activities, such as using farm equipment, can also increase wear and tear on the solar panels.5
Another study published in Agronomy pointed out that not all crops are suitable for growing under solar panels. Some plants may not grow well in shaded conditions. Therefore, careful selection of crops is essential, and more research is needed to understand which types of crops are best suited for agrivoltaics environments.7
How Agri-Voltaics are Changing Agriculture | The Power of Solar Panels
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What Does the Future Hold for Agrivoltaics?
In conclusion, agrivoltaics offers an innovative path toward integrated land use, supporting sustainable energy generation and productive agriculture. However, its future success depends on advancing system designs, reducing costs, and tailoring solutions to local needs.
Agrivoltaics could be vital in addressing future food and energy challenges with continued research, supportive policies, and farmer involvement.
References and Further Reading
- Zahrawi, A. A., & Aly, A. M. (2024). A Review of Agrivoltaic Systems: Addressing Challenges and Enhancing Sustainability. Sustainability, 16(18), 8271. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16188271
- Pandey, G., et al. (2025). A systematic review of agrivoltaics: Productivity, profitability, and environmental co-benefits. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 56, 13-36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2025.03.006
- Randle-Boggis, et al. (2024). Harvesting the sun twice: Energy, food and water benefits from agrivoltaics in East Africa. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 208, 115066. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2024.115066
- Wagner, J., Bühner, C., & Trommsdorff, M. (2023). Factors influencing the willingness to use agrivoltaics: A quantitative study among German farmers. Applied Energy, 361, 114515. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.122934
- Choudhary, A. K., et al. (2024). Assessment of Agrivoltaic Potential in India: Opportunities and Challenges for Scaling Dual-Use Solar and Agriculture Systems. Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), and Ernst & Young (EY). https://img.saurenergy.com/2024/04/agrivoltaic-in-india-report.pdf
- Marrou, H., et al. (2024). Microclimate under agrivoltaic systems: Is crop growth rate affected in the partial shade of solar panels? Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 177, 117-132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2013.04.012
- Soto-Gómez, D. (2024). Integration of crops, livestock, and solar panels: A review of agrivoltaic systems. Agronomy, 14(8), 1823. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14081824
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