Is the Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) a Sufficient Indicator to Describe the Efficiency of Agrivoltaic System?

The land equivalent ratio (LER) is a widely used coefficient by researchers in studies related to agrivoltaic systems. Although the indicator mentioned was developed to determine the benefits of intercropping, it has also been found useful for evaluating agrivoltaic installations. The objective of the LER is to describe the effectiveness of land use under agrivoltaic conditions versus conventional conditions, which implies separate production of crops and electricity. However, the mentioned coefficient does not give a complete description of an agrivoltaic system and its performance. To do so, additional indicators are developed. This study aims to demonstrate that additional parameters, which can be used to better describe an agrivoltaic system in terms of its comparison with conventional conditions. The coefficients presented can help assess the validity of agrivoltaic implementation and to make the decision whether, considering given conditions, it is more desirable to realize a conventional photovoltaic power plant or an agrivoltaic one.