A Comprehensive Review of Agrivoltaics: Multifaceted Developments and the Potential of Luminescent Solar Concentrators and Semi-Transparent Photovoltaics

Leonardo Sollazzo, Giulio Mangherini, Valentina Diolaiti () and Donato Vincenzi ()
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Leonardo Sollazzo: Department of Physics and Earth Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via G. Saragat 1, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
Giulio Mangherini: Department of Physics and Earth Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via G. Saragat 1, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
Valentina Diolaiti: Department of Physics and Earth Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via G. Saragat 1, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
Donato Vincenzi: Department of Physics and Earth Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via G. Saragat 1, 44121 Ferrara, Italy

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 5, 1-49

Abstract: In the context of rapid decarbonization, photovoltaics (PV) has played a key role. Traditionally, PV installations require large land areas, leading to competition between PV and agriculture for land use. This conflict must be addressed as the demand for both energy and food continues to rise. Additionally, it poses broader challenges, potentially leading local communities to perceive PV energy production as a threat to their economic activities and food security. An emerging and promising solution is agrivoltaics (AV), a combination of agriculture and PV. AV comes in many different forms, ranging from the simple coexistence of crops and PV installations on the same patch of land to a full synergy of the two, producing better crops while also harvesting energy from the sun. This paper paints a complete picture of the scientific work produced so far throughout the field, with special attention to the use of third-generation PV and luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs). Both technologies minimize shading and enable wavelength selection and enrichment (when functionalized with fluorescent materials) to better align with the photosynthetic needs of plants. The viability of AV has also been evaluated from an economic standpoint. This work aims to assess the current landscape of AV research and to point out possible future developments. It also seeks to evaluate whether the advantages of semi-transparent devices are substantial enough to justify their development and employment on a scale comparable to traditional PV.

Keywords: agrivoltaics; luminescent solar concentrators; PV greenhouse; net zero greenhouse; organic photovoltaics; semi-transparent photovoltaics; spectrum separation; economic analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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