Impact of Agrivoltaic System Design on Productivity and Sustainability: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis
Year: 2026
Type: review
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: The increasing competition for land between agriculture and electricity generation has driven the implementation agrivoltaic systems (AVSs) as a strategy aligned with Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 13. This study systematically analyzes how AVS design influences agricultural yield (AY), energy yield (EY), and overall sustainability. A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA protocol, complemented by bibliometric analysis and an exploratory correlation analysis of design variables, productivity indicators, and environmental and economic metrics. From an initial set of 243 records, 79 studies published between 2018 and 2025 were included. The results identify general trends across heterogeneous studies, although these patterns should not be interpreted as universally applicable. Intermediate ground cover ratios (GCRs) (≈30–40%) are commonly associated with favorable trade-offs between AY and EY, often resulting in land equivalent ratios above 1.5 under specific conditions. Reported outcomes indicate that AVS can achieve increases in EY, improvements in water-use efficiency, reductions in CO2 emissions, and competitive economic performance, although these results vary depending on crop type, climate, system configuration, and PV technology. Overall, the analysis highlights GCR as a key design parameter and underscores that AVS performance depends on multivariable and context-specific design rather than universally applicable thresholds, reinforcing its potential as a sustainable agri-energy solution.
Source: World
DOI: 10.3390/world7050071
Language: English
Subfield: Environmental Engineering
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,207
OpenAlex ID: W7160074983