Exploring agrivoltaics: Opportunities, trade-offs and potential solutions – integrating key aspects through a multiactor perspective discussion

Abstract

Achieving carbon neutrality relies on renewable energy infrastructures like hy-drological dams, photovoltaic arrays, and wind parks, often in agriculturally uti-lized areas. Despite their crucial role in achieving carbon neutrality while main-taining socio-economic growth, these infrastructures necessitate careful consid-eration of their impacts on land systems to achieve net emissions savings. Under-standing the intricate interplay between renewable energy infrastructures, eco-system functions, and political regulatory frameworks is essential for a success-ful transition to carbon neutrality. This round table discussion focuses on agri-voltaics – integrating perspectives from policy and academia to explore opportu-nities and trade-offs associated with photovoltaic infrastructures on agricultural-ly utilized land. By addressing technological, environmental, socio-economic, and political dimensions, the discussion aims to inform strategies for effective carbon emissions mitigation while respecting ecosystems and fostering a sustain-able energy transition. It serves as a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue, pro-moting collaborative solutions for sustainable energy transitions.