Agrivoltaic farming: A sustainable approach for climate-smart agriculture
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.7558Keywords:
agrivoltaics, climate change, greenhouse gas, SWOT analysisAbstract
Food security in India is increasingly getting threatened by climate change and the growing population. India is working towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Integrating photovoltaics (PV) with agriculture has emerged as a viable option and has given rise to agrivoltaics (AV) which can prove as an innovative solution addressing land competition. Agrivoltaics is a technique that combines solar energy with farming. It offers multiple benefits such as increased agricultural yields, water conservation and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. This paper explores agrivoltaics as a Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) approach for Indian farmers and establish a sustainable and reliable model for the future. Agrivoltaics enables dual land use optimizing both food and energy production while mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. It helps improve resource efficiency ensuring a more resilient agricultural system. The potential of agrivoltaics is assessed using Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis. This analysis provides information about its strengths such as land optimization and climate mitigation effects; weaknesses including high initial costs; opportunities, like policy support and technological advancements; and threats, such as land-use conflicts and limited awareness. Implementation of agrivoltaics in Indian agriculture can bring greater sustainability ensuring food security while contributing to clean energy goals. This review emphasizes use of agrivoltaics as a transformative solution for achieving climate resilience and sustainable development in India's agricultural sector.
Downloads
References
Masson-Delmotte V, Zhai P, Portner HO, Roberts D, Skea J, Shukla PR, et al. Global warming of 1.5 C. An IPCC special report on the impacts of global warming. 2019;1:93-174.
Boswell MR, Greve AI, Seale TL, Greve AI, Seale TL. Greenhouse gas emissions accounting: With contributions by Eli Krispi. Climate Action planning: A guide to ceating low-carbon, resilient communities. 2019:94-131. https://doi.org/10.5822/978-1-61091-964-7_4
Rahman MM, Khan I, Field DL, Techato K, Alameh K. Powering agriculture: Present status, future potential and challenges of renewable energy applications. Renewable Energy. 2022;1(188):731-49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2022.02.065
Carvajal-Yepes M, Cardwell K, Nelson A, Garrett KA, Giovani B, Saunders DG, et al. A global surveillance system for crop diseases. Science. 2019;364(6447):1-4. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aaw1572
Misra AK. Climate change and challenges of water and food security. International Journal of Sustainable Built Environment. 2014;3(1):153-65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsbe.2014.04.006
Nedumaran S, Ravi N. Agriculture extension system in India: A meta-analysis. Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences. 2019;10(3):473-9.
Talukder B, Ganguli N, Matthew R, VanLoon GW, Hipel KW, Orbinski J. Climate change-triggered land degradation and planetary health: A review. Land Degradation & Development. 2021;32(16):4509-22. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.4056
Lipper L, Thornton P, Campbell BM, Baedeker T, Braimoh A, Bwalya M, et al. Climate-smart agriculture for food security. Nature Climate Change. 2014;4(12):1068-72. https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate2437
Campbell BM, Thornton P, Zougmoré R, Van Asten P, Lipper L. Sustainable intensification: What is its role in climate smart agriculture? Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability. 2014;1(8):39-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2014.07.002
Valle B, Simonneau T, Sourd F, Pechier P, Hamard P, Frisson T, et al. Increasing the total productivity of a land by combining mobile photovoltaic panels and food crops. Applied Energy. 2017;15(206):1495-507. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.09.113
Zahrawi AA, Aly AM. A review of agrivoltaic systems: Addressing challenges and enhancing sustainability. Sustainability. 2024;16(18):8271. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16188271
Weselek A, Ehmann A, Zikeli S, Lewandowski I, Schindele S, Högy P. Agrophotovoltaic systems: Applications, challenges and opportunities. A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development. 2019;39:1-20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-019-0581-3
Remiorz L, Skorek-Osikowska A. Research stand with a micro-cogeneration unit based on a free-piston Stirling engine. Rynek Energii. 2014(4):117-24.
Chalgynbayeva A, Gabnai Z, Lengyel P, Pestisha A, Bai A. Worldwide research trends in agrivoltaic systems - A bibliometric review. Energies. 2023;16(2):611. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16020611
Amaducci S, Yin X, Colauzzi M. Agrivoltaic systems to optimise land use for electric energy production. Applied Energy. 2018;220:545-61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.03.081
Zhang L, Yang Z, Wu X, Wang W, Yang C, Xu G, et al. Open-field agrivoltaic system Impacts on photothermal environment and light environment simulation analysis in Eastern China. Agronomy. 2023;13(7):1820. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13071820
Gonocruz RA, Uchiyama S, Yoshida Y. Modeling of large-scale integration of agrivoltaic systems: Impact on the Japanese power grid. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2022;363:132545. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.132545
Co?gun AE. The potential of Agrivoltaic systems in TURKEY. Energy Reports. 2021;7:105-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2021.06.017
Malu PR, Sharma US, Pearce JM. Agrivoltaic potential on grape farms in India. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments. 2017;23:104-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seta.2017.08.004
Jing R, Liu J, Zhang H, Zhong F, Liu Y, Lin J. Unlock the hidden potential of urban rooftop agrivoltaics energy-food-nexus. Energy. 2022;256:124626. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2022.124626
Mohammad G, Ghosh H, Mitra K, Saha N. Sun, soil and sustainability: Opportunities and challenges of agrivoltaic systems in India. Current Agriculture Research Journal. 2024;12(1):10. http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CARJ.12.1.05
Giri NC, Mohanty RC. Design of agrivoltaic system to optimize land use for clean energy-food production: a socio-economic and environmental assessment. Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy. 2022;24(8):2595-606. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-022-02337-7
Feuerbacher A, Laub M, Högy P, Lippert C, Pataczek L, Schindele S, et al. An analytical framework to estimate the economics and adoption potential of dual land-use systems: The case of agrivoltaics. Agricultural Systems. 2021;192:103193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2021.103193
Semeraro T, Scarano A, Curci LM, Leggieri A, Lenucci M, Basset A, et al. Shading effects in agrivoltaic systems can make the difference in boosting food security in climate change. Applied Energy. 2024;358:122565. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2023.122565
Handler R, Pearce JM. Greener sheep: Life cycle analysis of integrated sheep agrivoltaic systems. Cleaner Energy Systems. 2022;3:100036. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cles.2022.100036
Liu Q, Chen T, Zhang N, Ye Z, Jiang K, Lin Z, et al. Green energy meets urban agriculture: Unveiling the carbon reduction potential of rooftop agrivoltaics. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2024;480:144110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.144110
Yavari R, Zaliwciw D, Cibin R, McPhillips L. Minimizing environmental impacts of solar farms: a review of current science on landscape hydrology and guidance on stormwater management. Environmental Research: Infrastructure and Sustainability. 2022;2(3):032002. https://doi.org/10.1088/2634-4505/ac76dd
Time A, Gomez-Casanovas N, Mwebaze P, Apollon W, Khanna M, DeLucia EH, Bernacchi CJ. Conservation agrivoltaics for sustainable food-energy production. Plants, People, Planet. 2024;6(3):558-69. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10481
Gomez-Casanovas N, Mwebaze P, Khanna M, Branham B, Time A, DeLucia EH, et al. Knowns, uncertainties and challenges in agrivoltaics to sustainably intensify energy and food production. Cell Reports Physical Science. 2023;4(8). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrp.2023.101518
Dupraz C, Marrou H, Talbot G, Dufour L, Nogier A, Ferard Y. Combining solar photovoltaic panels and food crops for optimising land use: Towards new agrivoltaic schemes. Renewable Energy. 2011;36(10):2725-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2011.03.005
Marrou H, Dufour L, Wery J. How does a shelter of solar panels influence water flows in a soil–crop system? European Journal of Agronomy. 2013;50:38-51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2013.05.004
Jaggi S, Handa DP, Gill AS, Singh NP. Land-equivalent ratio for assessing yield advantages from agroforestry experiment. Indian Journal of Agricultural Science. 2004;74(2):76-9.
Cameron M. Solar generation: A sustainable energy future. Photovoltaics Bulletin. 2002;(1):8-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-8325(02)80026-8
Reay D, Reay D. Climate-smart milk. Climate-Smart Food. 2019:49-66. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-18206-9_5
Schulze ED, Luyssaert S, Ciais P, Freibauer A, Janssens IA, Soussana JF, et al. Importance of methane and nitrous oxide for Europe's terrestrial greenhouse-gas balance. Nature Geoscience. 2009;2(12):842-50. https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo686
Elamri Y, Cheviron B, Lopez JM, Dejean C, Belaud G. Water budget and crop modelling for agrivoltaic systems: Application to irrigated lettuces. Agricultural Water Management. 2018;208:440-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2018.07.001
Juillion P, Lopez G, Fumey D, Lesniak V, Génard M, Vercambre G. Shading apple trees with an agrivoltaic system: Impact on water relations, leaf morphophysiological characteristics and yield determinants. Scientia Horticulturae. 2022;306:111434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2022.111434
Ghosh A. Nexus between agriculture and photovoltaics (agrivoltaics, agriphotovoltaics) for sustainable development goal: A review. Solar Energy. 2023;266:112146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2023.112146
Sekiyama T, Nagashima A. Solar sharing for both food and clean energy production: Performance of agrivoltaic systems for corn, a typical shade-intolerant crop. Environments. 2019;6(6):65. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments6060065
AbdAllah A. Impacts of Kaolin and Pinoline foliar application on growth, yield and water use efficiency of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) grown under water deficit: A comparative study. Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences. 2019;18(3):256-68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jssas.2017.08.001
Williams HJ, Hashad K, Wang H, Zhang KM. The potential for agrivoltaics to enhance solar farm cooling. Applied Energy. 2023;332:120478. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2022.120478
Liu HJ, Kang Y. Sprinkler irrigation scheduling of winter wheat in the North China Plain using a 20 cm standard pan. Irrigation Science. 2007;25:149-59. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-006-0042-z
Liu W, Liu L, Guan C, Zhang F, Li M, Lv H, et al. A novel agricultural photovoltaic system based on solar spectrum separation. Solar Energy. 2018;162:84-94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2017.12.053
Ali Abaker Omer A, Li M, Liu W, Liu X, Zheng J, Zhang F, et al. Water evaporation reduction using sunlight splitting technology. Agronomy. 2022;12(5):1067. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12051067
Hassanpour Adeh E, Selker JS, Higgins CW. Remarkable agrivoltaic influence on soil moisture, micrometeorology and water-use efficiency. PloS One. 2018;13(11):e0203256. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0203256
Müller-Stewens G, Lechner C. Strategisches management. Wie strategische Initiativen zum Wandel führen. 2005;3:236-9.
Weselek A, Bauerle A, Zikeli S, Lewandowski I, Högy P. Effects on crop development, yields and chemical composition of celeriac (Apium graveolens L. var. rapaceum) cultivated underneath an agrivoltaic system. Agronomy. 2021;11(4):733 https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11040733
Marrou H, Guilioni L, Dufour L, Dupraz C, Wery J. Microclimate under agrivoltaic systems: Is crop growth rate affected in the partial shade of solar panels? Agricultural and Forest Meteorology. 2013;177:117-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2013.04.012
Seidel M, Wichmann S, Pump C, Beckmann V. Combining photovoltaics with the rewetting of peatlands-A SWOT analysis of an innovative land use for the case of North-East Germany. Land. 2024;13(10):1548. https://doi.org/10.3390/land13101548
Rauch P, Wolfsmayr UJ, Borz SA, Triplat M, Krajnc N, Kolck M, et al. SWOT analysis and strategy development for forest fuel supply chains in South East Europe. Forest Policy and Economics. 2015;61:87-94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2015.09.003
Schupp MF, Krause G, Onyango V, Buck BH. Dissecting the offshore wind and mariculture multi-use discourse: A new approach using targeted SWOT analysis. Maritime Studies. 2021;20(2):127-40. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40152-021-00218-1
Maity R, Sudhakar K, Abdul Razak A, Karthick A, Barbulescu D. Agrivoltaic: A strategic assessment using SWOT and TOWS matrix. Energies. 2023;16(8):3313. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16083313
Weselek A, Bauerle A, Hartung J, Zikeli S, Lewandowski I, Högy P. Agrivoltaic system impacts on microclimate and yield of different crops within an organic crop rotation in a temperate climate. Agronomy for Sustainable Development.
;41(5):59. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-021-00714-y
Sirnik I, Sluijsmans J, Oudes D, Stremke S. Circularity and landscape experience of agrivoltaics: A systematic review of literature and built systems. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2023;178:113250. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2023.113250
Leon A, Ishihara KN. Influence of allocation methods on the LC-CO2 emission of an agrivoltaic system. Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 2018;138:110-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2018.06.017
Ghida DB, Ghida SB. Investment in agrophotovoltaics: Efficient solutions from switzerland. International Journal of Innovative Technology and Exploring Engineering. 2019;8(12):61-4. https://doi.org/10.35940/ijitee.L2497.1081219
Reasoner M, Ghosh A. Agrivoltaic engineering and layout optimization approaches in the transition to renewable energy technologies: A review. Challenges. 2022;13(2):43. https://doi.org/10.3390/challe13020043
Weselek A, Ehmann A, Zikeli S, Lewandowski I, Högy P. Microclimatic effects of agrivoltaic systems on wheat, potato and grass-clover cultivation. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems. 2021;45(5):667-693. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-021-00714-y
Vernier F, Cambon A, Marrou H. The effect of agrivoltaic shading on alfalfa: Experimental evidence and modelling insights. EGU General Assembly. 2023. https://presentations.copernicus.org/EGU24/EGU24-17971_presentation.pdf
Zainali H, Jansson S, Widén J. Solar-shading effects of agrivoltaic systems on crop yield and water use: A case study in Sweden. Mälardalen University Studies. 2024. https://mdh.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2%3A1840504
Downloads
Published
Versions
- 20-04-2025 (2)
- 29-03-2025 (1)
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 R Santhosh, R Baskaran, C Harisudan, J Prabhaharan, K Bharathi kumar
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright and Licence details of published articles
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Open Access Policy
Plant Science Today is an open access journal. There is no registration required to read any article. All published articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC Attribution 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
