Optimizing AgriPV: A Comprehensive Assessment Framework for Sustainable Energy and Agriculture

By integrating solar panels with agricultural activities, AgriVoltaics (AgriPV) optimizes land use while offering a solution to the increasing demand for food and renewable energy. This dual use approach not only enhances land productivity but also helps regulate microclimatic conditions, reduce water evaporation, and support biodiversity. AgriPV can improve soil conditions in areas with poor agricultural productivity and enable cultivation, transforming this type of land into productive farmland. This positions AgriPV as a promising strategy for the expansion of renewable energy and sustainable agriculture. Despite its relatively recent emergence, AgriPV has shown significant advancements, though its implementation remains limited across Europe. To support its broader adoption, this study presents a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) framework to analyze energy production, Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and environmental impacts from raw material extraction to farm-gate, within the context of the EU-funded TALOS project. A comparative sustainability assessment also examines the trade-offs between AgriPV and conventional Photovoltaics (PV) in terms of energy generation, land use efficiency and agricultural productivity. By providing a structured evaluation framework, this research supports policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders in making informed decisions that enhance both energy production and agriculture.