Exploring the impact of Agrovoltaics on horticultural crop yields and environmental stress mitigation: A comprehensive review

Agrovoltaics, the integration of solar panel systems with agricultural practices, presents a promising approach to addressing the increasing challenges posed by climate change. This comprehensive review examines the potential of agrovoltaics in mitigating abiotic stresses on horticultural crops. By establishing favorable microclimates, agrovoltaic systems not only enhance crop growth but also offer protection against extreme weather events such as hailstorms, heavy rainfall, and heat waves. Beyond electricity generation, solar panels serve as physical barriers, safeguarding crops from these environmental stresses. The transition from conventional agricultural practices to innovative agrovoltaic (APV) systems represents a pivotal development in the pursuit of sustainable agriculture, especially under the growing challneges posed by climate change. Agrovoltaics optimizes land use and has efficiency of 70–80 % of the total mixed use of agriculture and solar energy production as opposed to having to use the land separately for both.This review offers an in-depth assessment of APV technology, focusing on its influence on crop production, mitigation of abiotic stress, and effectiveness in optimizing the interception of photosynthetically active radiation. As agriculture experiences significant transformation, agrovoltaics emerges as a paradigm of sustainability, integrating renewable energy production with enhanced agricultural resilience. As agriculture undergoes significant transformation, agrovoltaics stands out as a model of sustainability. This review provides a detailed overview of recent advancements in agrovoltaic technology and highlights the associated benefits for crop cultivation and climate resilience. Emphasizing the potential of agrovoltaics to contribute to a more resilient and sustainable future for horticulture, the review underscores the need for future research to adapt these systems to diverse agricultural settings to maximize their effectiveness in promoting environmental sustainability and resilience.