A Comprehensive Review of Agrivoltaics System: A Sustainable Approach to Energy and Agriculture

Abstract

Agrivoltaics system is an innovative way to use land sustainably by allowing the production of both food as well as solar energy on the same land. This dual-use of the agricultural land addresses various pressing challenges such as land scarcity, climate change, rising energy demands, and the need for resilient rural livelihoods. This paper presents an in-depth analysis of recent advancements (2020-2025) in the field, highlighting technological advancements, environmental benefits, effect on crop performance and energy production. An energy performance analysis shows that agrivoltaics system are able to achieve high land equivalent ratios ranging from 1.1 to over 1.7 depending on system design, crop type, and local climate. The study also highlights that Agrivoltaics can achieve reduced water use efficiency (up to 50%), competitive energy yields and greater overall efficiency with the use of advanced digital technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT). The paper also examines socioeconomic impact and policy dimensions, noting that farmer acceptance, financial incentives, regulatory clarity, and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential for large-scale adoption. However, there has been some challenges such as high installation costs, gaps in the public-private policies, and technical complexities which limits its broader use. Overall, agrivoltaics system offers a promising approach for sustainable development and supports global goals for food, energy, water security, and climate adaptation.