Climate-Smart Crop Success in Arid Agrivoltaic Conditions

Abstract

As climate change accelerates aridification and expands arid and semiarid regions, the need for sustainable agricultural and energy production systems has increased. This demand is particularly critical in these densely populated and rapidly growing areas. Agricultural growth in arid environments can be hindered by limited water availability and intense solar radiation. Given the abundant sunlight in arid regions, integrating photovoltaics with agriculture, so-called “agrivoltaics”, offers a sustainable land use opportunity. Agrivoltaic systems utilize solar panels to shade crops, reducing mid-day sun exposure, while evapotranspiration from crops enhances photovoltaic efficiency. Integrating agrivoltaics with climate-smart crops—known for their heat and drought resilience—presents a promising strategy to simultaneously enhance food security and produce renewable energy, thereby advancing sustainable development. Research on cultivating climate-smart crops under PV shade remains limited. While these crops are adapted to intense sun and limited water availability, their performance in the milder microclimate beneath solar panels is not well understood. This study assessed the performance of tepary beans (Phaseolus acutifolius), a climate-smart crop, grown beneath solar panels versus traditional open-field conditions, examining germinations, plant development, yield, and plant-microbe interactions. Tepary beans exhibited significantly improved agricultural performance under solar panels, evidenced by multiple traits, including plant height, weight, reproductive output, and bean morphology. This research highlights the benefits of integrating agriculture with photovoltaic production to address environmental challenges in arid regions, providing innovative dual land use for a sustainable future.