Advancements in agrivoltaic systems for enhanced sustainable energy utilization- A review

Agriculture-voltaic systems (AVS) integrate renewable energy and food production, providing a promising option for solving the worldwide problems of land use, food safety, and clean energy. Novel AVS technologies, such as transparent bifacial PV modules, dynamic tracking systems, and lightweight PV modules, enhance energy efficiency and crop productivity at the site. These advances facilitate the dual use of land that is suitable for solar energy and crop production. Furthermore, with the incorporation of digital technologies, such as IoT and AI, better performance and precision agriculture can be achieved, and concomitantly, the energy produced and production from the farmland are also increased. For a better growing environment and ecological impact between crops and solar panels, this research focuses on shade-tolerant crops and the microclimate beneath solar panels, including optimal air temperature and humidity, to maximize crop yield and promote environmentally friendly planting practices. Solar, wind, and biomass hybrid energy systems increase the continuity and expandability of AVS and generate stable renewable energy. AVS contributes to SDGs, in particular SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 13 (Climate Action), by reducing water use and carbon emissions and promoting biodiversity. However, obstacles, such as land-use wrangling, a lack of finance, and regulatory voids, stand in the way of its wider use. This review emphasizes that interdisciplinary cooperation, cooperation across countries (international cooperation), and governmental strategy need to be considered for the worldwide emergence of agrivoltaics. In the end, AVS could provide an environmental-energy-agricultural trifecta.