Agrivoltaics (also known as Agrophotovoltaics) is an emerging field that combines agricultural production and photovoltaic (PV) power generation on the same land. With increasing pressure to decarbonize energy systems while preserving arable land for food production, agrivoltaics presents a synergistic solution to two global challenges: climate change mitigation and sustainable food security.
Agrivoltaics offers a compelling model for the future of sustainable land use. By co-locating solar power with food production, it addresses two critical challenges—energy transition and climate-resilient agriculture—without competing for land. While deployment challenges remain, advances in system design, automation, and policy support are rapidly unlocking its potential.
First proposed by German physicist Adolf Goetzberger in the 1980s, the concept has evolved from a theoretical proposition to a globally tested and deployed solution.
Photovoltaic Module Layout
- Elevated PV Arrays: Modules are mounted on adjustable or fixed structures between 2–5 meters high, allowing crops and farming machinery to pass underneath.
- Semi-Transparent Panels: In some configurations, panels transmit partial sunlight to support photosynthesis.
- Tracking Systems: Dual-axis or single-axis solar trackers optimize sunlight capture and shading distribution.
Land Use Zoning
- Agrivoltaic installations are zoned by:
- Light-sensitive crops (e.g., lettuces, berries, legumes),
- Shade-tolerant crops (e.g., spinach, potatoes, pasture grass),
- Pasture for livestock (e.g., sheep grazing among fixed arrays).
Electrical Infrastructure
- Connected to on-site batteries, microgrids, or utility-scale grid tie-ins.
- Use of inverters, charge controllers, and monitoring systems to manage output variability.
Smart Farm Integration
- Sensors monitor:
- Soil moisture
- Ambient temperature
- Light intensity
- Energy yield
- Data enables precision farming under the altered microclimate created by solar arrays.
Innovations and Future Directions
- AI-Powered Solar Shading Control: Real-time crop and energy optimization.
- Bifacial Panels: Capture albedo light from soil and crop surfaces.
- Flexible Organic PV (OPV): Lightweight, semi-transparent panels for vertical farming or greenhouse use.
- Dual Axis Trackers with IoT Sensors: Enhance seasonal adaptation for light-intensive and shade-loving crops.
1. Sun’Agri (France)
Website: sunagri.fr
Core Offerings:
- Dynamic agrivoltaic systems with real-time automated shading control.
- AI-based microclimate adaptation to crop photosynthesis needs.
- Integration with existing farming operations (vineyards, orchards, vegetables).
Key Projects:
- Agrivoltaic vineyards in the Rhône Valley and Southern France.
- EU-funded projects for climate-resilient farming.
Next2Sun (Germany)
Website: next2sun.com
Core Offerings:
- Vertical bifacial PV systems designed for agricultural co-use.
- East–West aligned panels that minimize shadow on crops and maximize land use.
Key Projects:
- Vertical agrivoltaics on pastureland and horticulture in Germany and Austria.
BayWa r.e. (Germany / Global)
Website: baywa-re.com
Core Offerings:
- Utility-scale agrivoltaic farm design and project development.
- Focus on berries, herbs, and orchard crops beneath elevated solar arrays.
Key Projects:
- Large-scale agrivoltaic strawberry farms in the Netherlands and Spain.
- Collaborations with Fraunhofer ISE for research.
Enel Green Power (Italy / Global)
Website: enelgreenpower.com
Core Offerings:
- AgriSolar projects combining solar farms with crop production and beekeeping.
- Agrovoltaic integration with sheep farming and irrigation infrastructure.
Key Projects:
- Solar–agriculture hybrid plants in Italy, Brazil, and Greece.
- Dual-use projects with local farming cooperatives.
Insolagrin (Switzerland)
Website: insolagrin.ch
Core Offerings:
- Patented semi-transparent PV greenhouses and adjustable PV shading systems.
- Focus on horticulture, greenhouse vegetables, and alpine regions.
Key Projects:
- Deployments in Swiss alpine zones to reduce irrigation needs.
- Early-stage trials with dynamic shading for sensitive crops like spinach and lettuce.
TNO / GroenLeven (Netherlands)
Website: groenleven.nl
Core Offerings:
- Collaboration with Dutch research organization TNO to build agrivoltaic pilot projects.
- Focus on multi-row systems, elevated racks, and crop impact research.
Key Projects:
- Dual-use farms for onions, potatoes, and berries.
- Integration with precision agriculture platforms.
Chisun Energy (Japan)
Website: Not publicly available
Core Offerings:
- Developer of Japan’s early large-scale agrivoltaics under the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme.
- Focus on rice paddies, tea fields, and vegetables under elevated PV.
Key Projects:
- Over 100 installations in rural Japan since 2013.
- Education and training for farmer-PV co-operators.
Scatec Solar (Norway / Global)
Website: scatec.com
Core Offerings:
- Integrated solar and food production units for developing countries.
- Emphasis on off-grid agrivoltaic microgrids and water pumping systems.
Key Projects:
- Pilot installations in sub-Saharan Africa for food-energy-water nexus.
- Partnerships with NGOs and agritech firms.
Fraunhofer ISE (Germany)
Website: ise.fraunhofer.de
Core Offerings:
- R&D and technology transfer in agrivoltaics.
- Designs optimized for arid and semi-arid climates.
Key Contributions:
- Development of agrivoltaic metrics, crop-photovoltaic interactions, and LCOE models.
- Supported scaling projects in Mali, Chile, and India.