A research team from Temple University in Philadelphia analyzed the synergies and trade-offs of converting land to agrivoltaics and other multi-use solar landscapes globally. They found that co-sited solar systems should be tailored to deliver optimal performance and minimize negative impacts.
Researchers from Temple University in Philadelphia analyzed the context-sensitive challenges of deploying agrivoltaics and other multi-use solar landscapes.
The team's research, published in Nature Sustainability, reviewed qualitative and quantitative data, including existing field studies, to assess the global synergies and trade-offs of agrivoltaics, ecovoltaics, and solar grazing.
The study encompassed diverse microclimates, soil conditions, local economic impacts, and stakeholder perspectives across co-sited solar projects worldwide.
The research paper found that the benefits of agrivoltaics are highly site-specific, rather than providing a one-size-fits-all resilience strategy. During design and implementation, agrivoltaic systems need to consider local economic impacts, ecosystem services, and stakeholder perspectives to optimize multi-use systems. These considerations can also help minimize potential negative impacts and trade-offs, which often vary from site to site. The study does not promote agrivoltaics as a one-size-fits-all solution for all farmers and solar developers, but rather emphasizes the importance of tailoring systems to local circumstances.
Key factors influencing agrivoltaic performance and feasibility include solar array design, farm size, co-located crops, vegetation, or pasture type, prevailing climate and resource conditions, and sociocultural practices. For example, urban agrivoltaic systems differ significantly from rural systems in design and output, and rural applications in developing countries face unique constraints and opportunities compared to developed regions.
The research team recommends that, as a rule of thumb, solar PV projects should be implemented in areas where ecosystem services can be improved or expanded. Further research is needed to focus on supporting sustainable deployment in rural, urban, and off-grid communities, noting that analysis of the varying technical, environmental, social, and economic aspects of co-located systems is still in its early stages. While regulatory and policy barriers may protect protected areas, they may also limit the emergence of small-scale, grid-independent energy production, which could provide food and energy security for off-grid, low-income, and climate change- and disaster-prone communities.
Researchers and stakeholders have invested significant effort in advancing this field, particularly as agrivoltaic technology gains increasing societal acceptance.
A research team from Temple University in Philadelphia analyzed the synergies and trade-offs of converting land to agrivoltaics and other multi-use solar landscapes globally. They found that co-sited solar systems should be tailored to deliver optimal performance and minimize negative impacts.
Researchers from Temple University in Philadelphia analyzed the context-sensitive challenges of deploying agrivoltaics and other multi-use solar landscapes.
The team's research, published in Nature Sustainability, reviewed qualitative and quantitative data, including existing field studies, to assess the global synergies and trade-offs of agrivoltaics, ecovoltaics, and solar grazing.
The study encompassed diverse microclimates, soil conditions, local economic impacts, and stakeholder perspectives across co-sited solar projects worldwide.
The research paper found that the benefits of agrivoltaics are highly site-specific, rather than providing a one-size-fits-all resilience strategy. During design and implementation, agrivoltaic systems need to consider local economic impacts, ecosystem services, and stakeholder perspectives to optimize multi-use systems. These considerations can also help minimize potential negative impacts and trade-offs, which often vary from site to site. The study does not promote agrivoltaics as a one-size-fits-all solution for all farmers and solar developers, but rather emphasizes the importance of tailoring systems to local circumstances.
Key factors influencing agrivoltaic performance and feasibility include solar array design, farm size, co-located crops, vegetation, or pasture type, prevailing climate and resource conditions, and sociocultural practices. For example, urban agrivoltaic systems differ significantly from rural systems in design and output, and rural applications in developing countries face unique constraints and opportunities compared to developed regions.
The research team recommends that, as a rule of thumb, solar PV projects should be implemented in areas where ecosystem services can be improved or expanded. Further research is needed to focus on supporting sustainable deployment in rural, urban, and off-grid communities, noting that analysis of the varying technical, environmental, social, and economic aspects of co-located systems is still in its early stages. While regulatory and policy barriers may protect protected areas, they may also limit the emergence of small-scale, grid-independent energy production, which could provide food and energy security for off-grid, low-income, and climate change- and disaster-prone communities.
Researchers and stakeholders have invested significant effort in advancing this field, particularly as agrivoltaic technology gains increasing societal acceptance.
