Photovoltaic technology stands at the forefront of the global energy transition, offering a promising solution to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change. However, the deployment of solar energy infrastructure, particularly large-scale solar parks on open land, often encounters resistance from local communities. These solar installations can be perceived as disruptive to landscapes, agricultural productivity, and rural aesthetics. A recent groundbreaking study from the University of Bonn offers compelling evidence that agrivoltaics—a hybrid approach combining solar energy production with ongoing agricultural use—may unlock significantly greater public acceptance while advancing clean energy goals.
Agrivoltaics, sometimes abbreviated as Agri-PV, involves installing photovoltaic panels above or among active agricultural land. Unlike conventional solar farms that typically replace crop fields or pastures entirely, agrivoltaic systems allow crops or livestock to coexist beneath or between solar arrays. The concept leverages synergies by providing partial shading, which can protect sensitive plants from extreme weather conditions, reduce water stress, and sometimes even enhance crop yields. The visual integration of solar panels within productive landscapes fundamentally changes how people perceive renewable energy infrastructure.
The University of Bonn study, recently published in the prestigious journal Land Use Policy, surveyed nearly 2,000 participants representative of the German population’s demographics. These participants were shown carefully selected images contrasting traditional solar parks with agrivoltaic installations across three distinct agricultural scenarios: pastures with grazing cattle, wheat fields, and vineyards. Each participant evaluated the visual impact, attractiveness, recreational value, and their willingness to accept or pay premiums for electricity generated by these different setups.
Solar panels traditionally consume vast tracts of land, often displacing agricultural production and drawing criticism from stakeholders concerned about food security. Moreover, large arrays can be viewed as visual scars on the landscape, limiting recreational enjoyment and altering rural character. This has sparked debates and protests in many countries. The Bonn study highlights that agrivoltaics, by maintaining agricultural activity beneath solar installations, more harmoniously integrates energy production with land use, thereby alleviating some of these tensions.
An important insight emerging from the study is the higher willingness of participants to pay a price premium for electricity produced via agrivoltaic systems compared to conventional solar parks. Nearly 44% of respondents expressed readiness to pay extra for agrivoltaic-generated power, whereas only 29% felt similarly about electricity from traditional open-land solar installations. Conversely, fewer respondents supported financially counteracting or preventing agrivoltaic projects, indicating diminished opposition relative to classic solar parks.
The multifunctional potential of agrivoltaics extends beyond aesthetics and public acceptance. By situating solar panels at an elevation above crops or pastures, these systems can serve as a protective canopy. For instance, in vineyards, solar arrays can shield grapevines from damaging hail or intense sunlight, potentially minimizing crop losses. On cereal fields such as wheat, panels may act as barriers to wind, mitigating soil erosion and enhancing microclimatic conditions. Grazing animals can continue to roam beneath the panels undisturbed, turning energy installations into multifunctional landscapes.
Despite these advantages, agrivoltaics faces economic and technical challenges. The initial installation costs are generally higher than those of standard solar farms due to the engineering complexity of elevating panels and ensuring agricultural compatibility. Furthermore, energy yields per installed capacity may be marginally lower because some sunlight is diverted to crops below or lost due to system design constraints. These factors combined lead to longer payback periods, posing a barrier to widespread adoption without policy incentives or subsidies.
The social dimension explored by the Bonn research reveals that acceptance is not merely a reflection of environmental or economic rationales but significantly influenced by landscape perception. Participants in the survey acknowledged that photovoltaic systems impact scenic views, yet agrivoltaics diminished these negative perceptions. The preservation of agricultural character through dual land use fosters a sense of balance between energy transition needs and traditional rural livelihoods.
This comprehensive experimental study fills an important knowledge gap by quantifying public attitudes toward emerging solar energy land uses in a nuanced manner. As global efforts to meet renewable energy targets intensify, policy makers, planners, and developers must integrate social acceptance considerations to avoid conflict and delays. Agrivoltaics emerges as a promising strategy to simultaneously harness solar energy and sustain agricultural production, easing potential trade-offs in land use.
Looking ahead, further research is required to optimize agrivoltaic designs tailored to diverse crops, climatic conditions, and local contexts. Innovations in semi-transparent photovoltaic materials, adjustable panel heights, and energy-efficient tracking systems could enhance both agricultural coexistence and solar output. Additionally, comprehensive cost-benefit analyses incorporating ecological, social, and economic factors will strengthen the business case.
The University of Bonn researchers emphasize the necessity of sustained funding mechanisms and supportive policies to overcome economic obstacles. Without subsidies or other incentives, the slow amortization and upfront costs might limit agrivoltaics’ scalability. However, the robust public support demonstrated in this study provides a strong argument for integrating agrivoltaics into national and international renewable energy strategies.
In conclusion, agrivoltaics represents a transformative approach that reconciles the demand for clean energy with the imperative to protect agricultural landscapes and community values. By fostering multifunctional land use, enhancing landscape aesthetics, and improving public acceptance, this hybrid solar-agriculture model could accelerate the transition to sustainable energy systems globally. The findings underscore the importance of innovative energy governance that embraces technological integration alongside socio-environmental harmony.
Subject of Research: People
Article Title: Agrivoltaics increases public acceptance of solar energy production on agricultural land
News Publication Date: 14-May-2025
Web References: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2025.107604
References:
Zeddies, H. H., Parlasca, M., & Qaim, M. (2025). Agrivoltaics increases public acceptance of solar energy production on agricultural land. Land Use Policy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2025.107604
Image Credits: Figure: AG Qaim/Uni Bonn
Keywords: Agrivoltaics, Solar Energy, Public Acceptance, Photovoltaic Systems, Renewable Energy, Sustainable Agriculture, Land Use, Energy Transition
